Tracts on liberty in the Puritan Revolution, 1638-1647 fq977v09n

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SOURCES AND STUDIES EDITED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

GENERAL EDITOR | Austin P, Evans, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

FREDERICK Barry, Pu.D. Joun Dickinson, Pu.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE HISTORY OF PROFESSOR OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, UNI SCIENCE VERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ADVISORY BOARD

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Cuarces Knapp, Litt.D. ;

PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

PROFESSOR OF GREEK AND LATIN WILLIAM T. W ESTERMANN, Pu.D. PROFESSOR OF ANCIENT HISTORY

Howarpb Lee McBain, LL.D. ,

RUGGLES PROFESSOR QF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW FREDERICK J. E. WoopBrRIDG E, LL.D. AND DEAN OF THE GRADUATE FACULTIES JOHNSONIAN PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY

RosBert Morrison Maclver, Lirt.D. LIEBER PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIOLOGY IN BARNARD COLLEGE; EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

NUMBER XVIII

TRACTS ON LIBERTY, 1638-1647 IN THREE VOLUMES

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(YA , a Oss SSE \ —— rr QS pia eels

—s—] THE LIBERTY of THE FREEBORNE 3% SEIENGLISH-MAN> Conferrcd on him by the

wd houfe of lords . Tune 164.6

a : i ——__ 7

Sa SS iM@l hea) = Ee

(pw SSSR SESS. > \N “ 3 _———e

Se Fe ¥ 2S Ww

Miss See = \E NERS Pees

rossa> lS = = = S i, \ Sb fect ‘ = = ¢ Ce coreatbereetane tn CeCe anenn RO CAA Seas ee SAAN

vo: BRE SPA ng WA PR ne 7:= = ge

yA . o7-o ° aa \ COO AEE N COSY aos on ates a

vA CSS op & G Glo N YW e fect: ee er PS Sf SSS Ss SSS SS Gaze 170L “Upon this shaddow that tS Vainre , But rather ratfe thy thoughts 73 hig her § Paine , To GOD (, L meane/ whe. Jet this VIUuNg -Man free .

And un like shatts, can che deluer thee. “Yea though lords will havehis pum. bondsmiaintaine agatinc LORDthe of lords Justincanfe JOHN LILBURNE

Reproduced from the frontispiece to 4 Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens (July 7), 1646, attributed to Richard Overton. The original is in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum [E 343 (11)]. The portrait of Lilburne, engraved by George Glover, first appeared as the frontispiece to the account of Lilburne's sufferings at the hands of the bishops, called The Christian Mans Triall, 1641. In 1646, the plate was altered for use in Overton's Remonstrance by the addition of the inscription at the top, the bars before the face, and the last two lines of the verses at the bottom.

TRACTS ON LIBERTY IN THE

PURITAN REVOLUTION 1638-1647 EDITED, WITH A COMMENTARY, BY

WILLIAM HALLER

VOLUME III FACSIMILES, PART II

(ee

NEW YORK M-CM-XXXIII

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS —

COPYRIGHT 1933 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS

Published 1933

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE NATIONAL PROCESS COMPANY, INC., NEW YORK

CONTENTS

John Lilburne ; , . . , . . Frontispiece Frontispiece to [Richard Overton’s] Remonstrance of

Many Thousand Citizens, 1646

John Goodwin, Oeouayia, 1644. . , . , I [William Walwyn], The Compassionate Samaritane, 1644 59

[ Henry Robinson], Liberty of Conscience, 1644 , . 105

John Lilburne, 4 Copie of a Letter, 1645 . , , 179 : [William Walwyn], 4 Helpe to the right understanding

of a Discourse concerning Independency, 1645 . , 189

1645 . , . , , , . . . 203

[Richard Overton], The Araignement of Mr. Persecution,

[John Lilburne], Englands Birth-Right Justified, 1645 . 257 [William Walwyn], Englands Lamentable Slaverie, 1645 309 William Walwyn, 4 Whisper in the Eare of Mr. Thomas

Edwards, 1646 ee . . . . , 319

A Prediction of Mr. Edwards his Conversion, 1646. 337 [Richard Overton], 4 Remonstrance of Many Thousand

Citizens, 1646 . . . . . 349 The Commoners Complaint, 1047 . . . , 371

To the right Honourable and Supreme Authority of this Nation, the Commons in Parliament Assembled, 1647 397

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JOHN GOODWIN QEOMAXIA ; OR THE GRAND IMPRUDENCE OF MEN RUNNING THE HAZARD OF FIGHTING AGAINST GOD

1044 . Ocovaxta appeared in 1644. On the title-page of his copy, now in the British Museum, Thomason entered the date, October 7. For Henry Overton, see Volume II, tv. For John Bachiler, who licensed the present work for publication.

see Appendix B. The “late disaster,” to which reference is made on the titlepage, was the surrender of the Parliamentary army under Essex in Cornwall on ‘September 2, 1644. The text is here reproduced from a copy of the original

edition in the library of the Union Theological Seminary, collated with two additional copies in the Union Seminary which bear on the title-page the words,

“The second time Imprinted,” but which seem otherwise identical with the original. The text has also been compared with a photostatic print of the copy in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum.

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| 13] +gases ° 7ahs’0B70h&seshaA § & '& a a & or } is Bs oe aha hs 0B 0s So so RE

a OR oe

* @OEOMAXIA; &

a|

THE GRAND IMPRUDENCE fe : of men running the hazard of = &

$°®|>

WH PIGHTING AGAINST GOD, e

Jin fupprefSing any Way, Dodtrine, or ¥' rs Pra@tice , concerning which they know not fo

. i certainly whether it be from God or xo, | ve «# Being the fubftance of two Sermons, He

Preached in Colemanftreet, upon occafion of the ee.

of Jate difafter fuftain’d in the Weft. ’ Pe with fome necelfary Enlargements thereunto. ge a By Joun Goonvwvin, Paftor of the Church of God there. See

hg ence, aera eee im. an HEB.I0. 3r. He

‘Ze The fecond time Imprinted... as

Wd eee te . Re

‘s : Mat. 2%. 44. ! 4 aea broken in pieces. He, ‘Imprimatur. Fobn Bachiler. pee a LONDON; rma ‘id “at It 1s a fearefull thing to fall zxto tbe hands of the living God, Ne si

2 Whofoever fall fall on (or, ftumble at ) this ftone, [hall bey yes

an | 1644. ee ; Fe RQERE rey. ATES, ape Printed for Hexry Overton, andare tobe fold at his ‘Shop }@

. entring into Popes-bead-Alley out of Lumbard-ftreet, n>

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[5]

eee rere eee TOTES, TCL TT A CE I CT

4) ch 2 Cs

LELEEET ESE RAAB OHOAABOAHS

READER; Pgerane gh E hive an Englifb faying . that the burnt arate. =e childe dreads the fire. Ihave oft been caft 4a\ \% WEY ss into the fire of mens zealous indignationss o\ > — Via ° by an unclean (pirit of calumny and flander ; oY a 1) G@ = Some have repartéd, that IDdeny jn Jflification Z2\\QINPOR ie Dave Vepor eds HAL Geny oh \ X A ¥ é fe by Chrift, i. that the Sun is up at noon-day;

a De / hs . ;

ao fazfoule, ee — Others, that I deny themy immortalitie of my the a) EA INE| ob eC, i. that Imurthered father and mothersOthers that I bave preached againgt the Parliament and Affembly, i. that I am_out of my wits . and weary of my prefent life, and careleffe of that which is to come; Others yet againe, that fometimys I ftood far Presbytery, bit am now fallen to Independency ; particularly, that I both preach and practife non-conformity to a letter of mine written fome yeers fince to A4*. T. G. that wthat once I was fo wife as to think that fix and feven mde juft nineteene 5 but now am become fo weake,a to judge they onely make thirteene, and no more, T perceive there

are more Sons of Belial, then thofe that witneffed againft Naboth, tht he blafphemed God and the King. But having no vineyard to accom- 1 King, 21.

mod.ste any man, I cannot eafily conceive, what men and their tongues 10 meane to be ftill up i fiach unchriftian conteftations with me 3 except this | be it ; Becufe I fpeak the cruth, and men ure not able to beare it ; there fore they refalue (it feems ) tomate me fpeak (uch untruths, that I my felfe {ball not be able to beare, I confeffe, I due not much dread this fire, made of the tongues of alps and-vipers snot becanje I have not been fufficiently burnt by ity but partly becaufe I brve been a long time accuftomed ta fich burnings, and have found them rather purifying, ther confuming : partly, be~ caufe the great Apoftle informs me, that the way by which he paffed into

bis glory, was through honour, and difhonour , through good re- # Cor.é 8. port, and evill report. Tet mevertheleffe, [had rather give an account of mine. own words, then of other mens pretending to be mine; and fo to keep.out of the fire, as far as the peace and safety of my oven forle and other MIL, will Juffer me. And this is the true account ( Reader ) of the pub-

A 2 lifhing

[6]

To Tue READER. , lifting of thefe Sermons, which (haply bad not been an attion (o nece({

: srs fe. Under ftanding that the foule ppirit , which hath fa Pi yeers-baunted my miniftery , was pginming to prattife upon thefe Sermons alfo, I thought it the fafer courfe of the two, to put my felfe into the hands of the Tresth ( which yet perhaps will not much befriend me neither, in the thoughts and hearts of men, though with God, I am certain, it will) then to.expofe both it and my felfe to-be rent and torne by him. What good, or hurt, they will or are like to doe, now they are gotten abroad, 1 not eaftes either for thee, or me, fo much as to conjetture Be it in this , as God and

men {ball agree. When the danger of the difeaferuns high, there is little.

, bape but onely in that phyficke, whereof there is fome feare. We are under Joh, 8 32, 4 ondage of much mifery,and it is onely the Truth(as our Saviour faith ) that can make us free : and yet fuch is our condition and mifery, that there is cafe to feare, left the Treth, which onely is able to nake us free, foouldincreafe our bondage and miferysby being rejetted and oppofed by ws, when it comes it love and mercy tovilit us, and to blefle us out of our mi-

fery.. For this end I was borne ( as our Saviour faith of bimflfe,

| Joh. 18. ,7.) that I fhould beare witnefle to the truth , zot to the opinions or apprebenfions of men.In which refpect I keow Tam like to have the harder quarter and fervice in the worldsbut God bath made me a lover of men in fuch a degree, that I can willingly confecrate my felfe unto their fervice, through any fufferings from them. If this world faile me, Tknuw

Cod hath prepared another for areferve,rbich will ftand by me, and will not faile. Peader, take my prayers along with thee, and an honeft heart of thine own; and fo paffe on to the Sermons before thee; doubtleffe they

: will either flrengthen thy band in the way thou artin , or guide thy feet into away thou art not in, or at least qualifie thy fpirit with Chriftian

patience and refpects towards fuch a way. |

From my ftudy in Colemanfireet, : Olfobr, 1644, Thine with an upright and fingle heart in Chrift Jefus,

JoHN GoopwvIn.

ea | | L7 1]

a Neen ee ne ee aE EIEEIRE IERIE EIRIREERERERERREEEEEEEEEREREREEEEEEREGED

I

Aabhaeehhhheeannaaeanensanss (Geemanen Geawsese Susie (seers) xe

@EOMAXIA; OR

The Grand Imprudence of men, | running the hazard of Fighting again?’ God, in fuppreffing any Way, Do@rine, or Praice, concerning which they know not certain-

ly whether it be from God, or no.

AcTs §. 38. eLnd now I fay unto you, Refraine your felves from thefe men, and let them alone: for if this counfell or worke be of men,zt will come to nought ; but if it be of God,yee cannot deftvoy st, left yee be found even fighters againft God. wave era), Hen the Children of J/*zel,in the progrefle

. ate eile y of their Warres upon the Canaanites, Q\\a\V ey ms» wherein God had promifed to be with BP\ Naa) Ve, Ses them, and to give them fuccefle, and

C¢ &) /ifeyh that aman of their enemies fhould not io \ \ Vi Rm» be able to ftand againft them : notwith-

Aa a [ep ftanding theyfuch fought under as thethede, proteNDE De ») we2tion of many promifes yet met with a difafter and lofle, thirty fix of them being {laine by the men of 4/, and thereft of the partie ingaged in that fervice put to rout , and chafed by their enemies : God himfelfe upon the great dejeftion and folemne humiliation of the Elders of frael, and fofbua their Generall, was pleafed to make knowne unto him by {peciall revelation, what root of bit-

B ternefle |

ee

[8]

2 The Danger of Fighting agasn{t. God.

termeffe it was that brought forth this fruit of death, what fin by name it was amongit them, that had feparated between hin: and them in their late fad mifcarriage, yea, and would feparate ftill, to their further and greater mifery , except they took a courfe to make an atonement for themfelves,by purging and clenfing them{elves fromit. Onely the difcovery or fading out of the perfon that liad conmmitted the fin, was put upon Joflez and the people ; wherein yet againe they were dire&ted by God to fuch a method or means for this difcovery,that God himfelfe may be Gid too to have difcovered even the {inner alfo. For he it was, that by a {peciall directing hand of his providence, caufed the lot to fall upon Achan, who was the man that in taking the excommunicate thing, had fin’d that great and {peciall provocation, which was fallen in this guft of wrath from Heaven upon the people. Thefe things you fhall finde related more at large Fof.7. From which paflages by the way (amongft many other very obfervable ) you may take

knowledge of thefe three things. , Firft, That when God is at any time ingaged,and his hand in C as we ufe to fay ) fhewing mercy and doing good to his people, he is feldome or never wont to change or alter the tenour of his prefent difpenfations, to break off the courle of his grace by fuffering evill co come upon them, but upon fome fpeciall difcontent taken,from fome {peciall fin or other, one or more, committed by them. Secondly, That fometimes the fin ofone or of fome few, in a great focietie or body of people, in the provocation or guilt of it, redounds and runs over to the involving and defiling of the whole focietie, and rendring all the members thereof obnoxious to the difpleaftre of God. Thirdly, ‘That the belt, if not the onely way for the people of God, being under the disfavour of God,and ftroke of his ditpleafure , to make atonement for themfelves, and to recover his favour, is to make diligent fearch and ftri&t inquiry , what that fin by name fhould be, which hath tumed away the heart of their God from them, and accordingly to remove it. My Brethren, the cafe of the Children of Hrzel upon their loffe neere unto the Citie of Ai, is our condition and cafe at this day ;

| . five onely that the hand of God hath been laid. heavier upon us,

then

Lo]

Po a TN a ST TE ET I LL LL LT CE TT TATA aCe

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 3

then it was upon them, in that breach. God had begun to doe great and gracious things for us, yea he had gon on for a good {pace together,treading and trampling downe the ftrength of our Enemies under us apace ; infomuch, that wee began to take our Harps down from the willow trees, on which we had hung them, to prepare our felves to {ing the fong of Mofes, the man of God : but loc on the fuddaine wee are fimitten back againe into the places of Dragons, and the God of our lives bath covered us with the foadow

of Death. That vifton of peace and good things which was let downe from heaven unto us, and wascome fo neereus, that wee began to arife, thinking none other but to fall to and cate prefently ; is now againe taken up from us into the heavens, and we have loft the fight of it. The beft art and wifdome we can ufe to open the heavens over us, and caufe them to deliver downe that treafure againe to us,to heale our prefent wound, if it benot deadly, is to make as narrow a fearch, as {tri&t an inquiry, as we can, what that particular and fpeciall fm or provocation amongtt us

sy the chaftifement whereof is now upon us, and which hath brought the rod of this indignation upon our backs. If God:him. telfe would pleafe by {peciall revelation tomake knowne what this fin is, as hedid unto ofl and the people of Ifrzel, fatisfa &tion in this point were at hand, nor fhould we need to abide the various and. conjectural difcourfes of men, Minifters or others, about the matter : Bue having perfected chat ftanding Revelation of him{elfe, the Scriptures, he refraines revelations extraordinary , and leaves his people to confult with thefe Oracles of his for refolution, in all fuch cafes of Queftion and difficulty as this; onely promifing the gracious affiftance and guidance of his Spirit unto thofe

that thall aske it of him, and not lay ftumbling blocks in their way otherwife, to dire& them in fuch dark and dubious inquiries as thele. And one fpeciall end (I conceive ) aymed at by that Authority, which hath fet apart this day tor a folemne humiliation

of our felves before God, was, that Minifters and people fhould joyne together in fervent prayer and fupplication unto God, that

the one may be direfted to make a true and unpartiall difcovery , of this finne, and the other judge ot the difcovery being made ac~ cordingly: that fothetronbler of Ife! being tound out, execution

2 that

may be done, and God pacified. In confideration whereof i isy

[10] | | erence CC Ce 4 The Danger of Fighting againft God,

that I made choice of the Scripture read unto you, upomthe pre{ent occafion 5 Conceiving that very fin tobe there defcribed,vea, and exprefled by name, (though fomewhat mare generall ) which hath accafioned che faid interruption of latemade in our hopeful proceedings, yea,and which in all likelthood wrought againft us formerlysboth in that blow which was reached. us from héaven, in that.as ftrange, as forcowfull a defeat at Newark, and other- wife; but was not then knowne or confidered of: The Lord grant that yet at laft it may enter into all our hearts to conceive aright, and to confider of it , left ic brings forth yet .againe like bitter fruits, yea, and magnifies it felfe at laft in our utter ruine and de‘ftruétion.

But let us addrefle unto the words ; and in them confider, firft, their relation and coherence in the Context, and then their

fenfe and meaning. For the former ; the words are part‘of a {peech made by one Gansuliel (as heis called ver. 3 4.) a Pharilee, and Do&or of the Law, inan Affembly or Councell at Jerufalem.

The-Councell (as appeares ver, 21.&c..) was -called, about the Apoftles, their Doctrine and proceedings ; the chiefe defigne and intendment of it, was to confider and refolve what courfe to take with them, how to fupprefle both them and their Do&trine, being both looked upon as prejudiciall to their perfonall and private interefts, both of honour and profit, in that State and Nation; and

. as likely to carry away the hearts and affeétions of much people from them. When they liad fen for Peter and the other Apoftles by a Captain with his Officers, to appeare before the Councell, the Prolocutor or chiefe Prieft, charged them after this manner 5 , ver. 28. Did not we fhraitly. command you , that you fhould not teach in this Name ? and yee bave filled Ferafalem with your Doctrine,érc. When

| Perer and the other Apoitles, ftanding ftifle to their tackling, had | made their anfwer, fully juftitying what they had done, and given a brief accompt of that Doétrine about which they were queftioned, and of their calling to preach and beare witnefle of the fame unto the world ; it is faid ( ver.33.) that the Councell,feeing them upon thofe termsyhearing them {peake at fuch a rate, Larftin funder for anger (as the former tranflation ) or (as the latter hath it)

| : learned, were cut ut the beart,and took counfell bow to flay them. What ? would

they not fubmic to the Authority and advice of fuch a Reverend,

: [x3] The Danger of Fighting againft Gad. : §

learned, and pious Aflembly as that? Did they thinke them felves , wifer then they?would they preach a Doétrine that fhould afperfe

them, and bring them out of credit and requeft with the people? Such men as they were not meet to be to/erated in the State,

nor yet to live; and theretore they would fall upon fomeand courfe, how to free themfelves, the Scate and Nation of them, that mutt be in no lighter way, with no lower hand,then death it felfe, they miuft die forit. This (it feems ) was the fente and refolution of thegenerality of the Aflembly,untill one of them,(that Gamaliel we {peake of) a man of a better temper and deeper reach then his fellowes, excited to {peak, and aflifted in {peciall manner by God in {peaking, by a grave Speech tending to moderation , qualified

their {pivits in part, and brought them to accept of fomewhat a lighter atonement from the Apoftles, for their fuppofed fin, then their lives would have amounted unto. For their {pirits were fo full of bicternefs and indignation againft them,that notwithftand-

ing all that Gamzliel could fay, they were refolved to have their peniworths of them, (as we ufe to fay)to eafe themfelves on them

fofar, as to caufe them to be beaten, and withall, feverely to _ charge them the fecond time, to give over preaching their erroneous and dangerous Do€trine, to fpezk xo more ix the Name of Fe-

fs, ver. 40. What the tenor of Gmzaliels Speech was,from thebe- | ginning to the end ofit, you may read, beginning at ver. 35.undll the end of 39. Aen of Ifrael, tzke heed to your felves, what you doe to

thefe men; as if he fhould have faid , Yee will but run a necdleffe

hazard of bringing evill, or ruine upon your felves, by attempting any thing for the prefent, in a way of violence againtft thefe men ; implying,that men had need take heed how they ingage themfelves

to fupprefle, moleft , or deftroy any generation or fort of men

whatfoever, untill they have a clear and exprefle warrant from : heaven for theexecution. To perfwade them not to be too precipitate.or forward in any courfe of violence againft the Apottles, he declares to them by a double inftance (well known unto them-~ felves) that ifthey be feducers and evill men, and fo worthy tobe deftroyed, God himfelfe would in a {hort time, reveale his wrath from heaven agaigft them,and bring them and their work to ruine. For thus he had done both formerly by one Thendas, and more’

. | Y¥OS5

lately by Judas of Gulilee ; who projecting great matters for them:

ee

[12] 6 The Danger of Fighting againft God.

‘clves, without any warrant or authority from God, though they v. 2ut on, and feem’d for a while to profper in their way, drawin gvcut numbers of people after them, were yet, both they and al their complices and tollowers, by a {peciall hand of God feat-

tered and brought to nought. Upon the mention of thefe two

memorable examples of Divine juttice again{t Seducers and Deceivers, he.infers as tolloweth in the words read unto you. And now I fay unto yor, Refraine from thefe men, and let them | t10NL, C2

This for the coherence. For the fenfe of the words (briefly) Refrain from, daiswr dae, that is, ftand, or keep off from them, depart from them, go yee your way, and let them go their way 5 9 taoun: curds, let them alone, or fuffer them, that is, (as fome anderftand it) do not only torbeare perfecuting of them your felves by your authority, but be no occation that the Romim power any wayes interpoteth to mioleftthem: donot betray them into the hand of violence otherwilc; or clfe the doubling of the caution, may import the weightineffe of the matterin his apprehenfion that {peaketh.However,by this double Caution or Item he gives unto them, not to haveany

thing to do (for the prefent) with the Apoftles, in any way of moleftation, he difcovers an utter averfenefle in him to fuch proceedings. Wherefore he gives this reafon further. For if this cornell or work be of men, it will come to nought | i. If che

defign which thefe men drive,with the method, courfe and means whereby they carry it on, hath no better foundation to bear it up, but cither their own wifdomes, intereft, and authouiry, or fome other mens zx7avbiorras, ic will be diffolved,or come to nought, it will foon difcover its original] by its end, if it were taken out of the

duft, to duit it will return ; and they chat are ingaged in it, will fall andfink wich ic. Bus if’ it be from God] i. If it be countenan~ ced or authorized by Ged, if he be the Founder of ic; Yee cannot deftroy or diffolve it, left, Gc. i. you mult not, or you ought not, to attempt any thing againft ic to deftroy or diffolve it, becaufe by fuch an attempt as this;you will do no better then fight againflGod. Yee cannot | v1z.‘lawtully, or wifely, or upon any good ground. There is a double impotency; or impoflibility often mentioned in

Scripture; the one wemay call astral, or phyfrcull, the otherrutm

Lc tt ng

[13]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 7

ral, Wich the firft kinde of impoffibilicy, things are faid to be un- : poflible, when there wants a natural! or executive principle of ftrength or power in any kind to do them: with the lacter,that is {aid to be unpoflible for a man to do,for the doing wherof he hath no ground or warrant either in the Word of God, or in reafon or equity, though he hath never fo muclt naturall ftrength or power todoit. Of this latter kind,the Apoftle Paw! {peaketh, 2 Cor.13.8. where hefaith, that bee could do nothing againft the truth, but for the

irtth 3 meaning, that he had no ground or warrant, cither from God, or otherwife, to do any fuch thing. Soagain, Cor. 10. 21. Yee cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the Devill i. yee

cannot do it /awfully ; or with any congruity either to the principles of Chriftianity, or of found reafon. Of this kind of impotency or impodlibiliry,that common faying in the Civill Law {peaketh, Id tantum poffinis, quod jure poffunus. Of the other kind,we have many inftancesalfo; I (hake to thy Difciples to caft bins out, but they could not (MMdaur.g. 18.) 7. they wanted an exccttive principle or

power; whereby to do it: otherwife ic was lawfull cnough for them to have doneit. So again, AZi.6.19.and Adz. 2. 4. befides many other. Deftray or diffolve it) 7. do ov attempt any thing to deftroy it. Not only the endevours and attempts, buc even the purpofes and . intents of doing things, are often in Scripture exprefled by words, which properly fignifie the doing or effe&ting the things themfelves. Many good works (faith our Saviour, fo.10. 32 bse Themed - youfrom my Father: for which of thefe works do you fone me ? i.do you intend, or go about to ftoneme? for they had not yet a&ual-

ly toned him. Thus Heb.11.17. Abraham is twice faid to have offered up bis fon Ifaac, becaule he was fully intended, and had attempted to offer him. Befides many the like : So here, yore cannot deftroy ity % you ought not, you cannot with reafon go about or attempt the deftroyiug of it. Left yous be found even fighters ag zinft

God; meaning, that in cafe the Doétrine and way of thofe men, againft whom they were incenfed, fhould be from God, and they neverthelefs feck co deftroy them,they would by fuch a courfe dafh themfelves againft fuch a ftone as would break them to pieces ; they would be found even to fight againft God. That caufall particle,

udnory lefty doth not alwayes notea hazard, or uncertainty ofefle an

[z4]

8 The Danger of Fighting againft God. effet or confequent ; but many times fignifies as much as Tpu pal, at non, and is usd as well to fignifie the dependance as well of a cers

% See Mat.4.6 tain and neceflary, as of acontingent effet, upon its caufe: *So and Mat-13. here, you cannot deflroy it, left you be found, ec. 1. if you attempt to 15+ deftroy it, you will be found, &c. Be found | The word éupionsSeu to be found, in fuch a conftrudti-

| on as this, oft notes the unexpectednefle of fomewhat befalling a rfon, whether in refpe& of his own,or other mens expeCtations,

| Thus itis faid of che Virgin Adary, that before Fuféph and fhe came cogether,gugihn ty pase? Bxvoe, (Lee was FOUND with child, meaning,

beyond, or contrary to expectation. So Lk. 9.36. whereas Mops and Elias were immediately before the voyce from heaven, taken notice of by the Apoftles to have been prefent with Chrift upon the Mount, as foone as ever the voyce was paft, it is faid of him, éuetln byes, be was found alone, to imply that Mofes and Elias were

withdrawn before the Apoftles were aware, or thought of it. To pafle by other inftances for this importance of the word ; it is faid of Babylon the Great ( Rev. 18.24.) that in her was found ( éupsy_) the bloud of the Propbets,and of the Saints, and 4 all that were flain up-

on the earth;meaning, that whereas this City had till now thought her felf the moft religious City under heaven, the Mother and Patroneffe of Prophets and Saints, an enemy onely unto Heretiques and perfons fiatefull unto God ; now when God came to call her to an account, and to enter into judgement with ber,contrary to her expectation and opinion of her felf,fhe was difcovered and evi&ted to have been the moft cruell and bloudy enemy that ever Prophets

or had, yea, and further,aSoprincipall A&reflein aughter Saints cf many millions otherwife. Gamaliel, expreflingthe himfelfe

| thus to the Councell, /e/t you be FOUND even fighters againft God ; gives them tounderftand, that how holy, wife, or juft foever they might feeme in their own eyes, yea and might think themfelves the furtheft of any men under heaven from practling or fighting againft God, yet if they went on with their prefent intentions and refolutions againft the men they had now before them,they might fall into this heavie guilt and condemnation, when they thought

leaft of it. The heavinefle of which guilt is further implyed, in that emphaticall particle 9, ever, even fighters againftGoa ; which

particle of {pecch in fuch Conftructions as this, is intenfive in an Ig

[15]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 9 high degree, and ftill imports fomewhat very remarkable in whae is Joyned withit. In fuch an importance as this, you thall find i¢ ufed, Matth. 12.8. for the fon of man is Lord, x5 técellars, even of the Sabbath ; meaning, that this was avery tranfcendent Lordfhip indeed,and {uch as was incompatible unto any,but unto him who need count it no robbery to be equall with God. So Adar. 13.22. - and elfewhere. Thus Gamaliel admonifhing his Colleagnes, to confider well what they did, Jeft they foould be found EV EN fighter's again{t God ; plainly intimates unto you, that this is one of the.

worft ftones in the world to ftumble at, and that no improvi-

dence or inconfideratenefs whatfoever befides, is like to. make any

fuch breach upon the comfort and peace of the Creatttre, as for

mien to_ ingage themfelves in any fuch aftion or courfe, wherein | they fhall bé found fighters againft God. — @shuaxe; Fighters againftGod’}, Every a& of fin, efpecially wich

knowledge and confent of will, is, (in a fenfe) 2 fighting againft God: but that fin which Gamaliel here intends in his expreflion of fighting againft God, isa fin of an higher nature then ordinary, as appeares by the particle xgz, ever, Joyn’d with it, and former]

opened. Therefore by fighting againjt God (iu this place) mutt

needs be meant fome high and peremptory aétion or ingagement | of the creature, wherein it oppofeth God in fome fpeciall or remarkable defign, which hee feeketh either to fet on foot, or elfe to carry on in the world, whether the oppofer knowes it to be a de= fign of God’s or no. And thus the Propagating of that Doétrine, which the Apoftles preached, being a defign of God, the oppofition of the councell againft ic, efpecially with fo high an hand as the crufhing or {laying of the Apoftles, who were appointed by God to publith ic, would have been, was, and would have been

very properly, 2 fighting again{t God.. ) The words explain’d, are matter ready prepared for Doétrine and Obfervation. Only one word (by the way) for Anifwer'to that Queftion ; What authority, weight, or credit, is to be given to that which Gamafiel delivers in this Speech of his to the Coun~ cell? Whether may we build upon every thing, or any thing, {po_ ken by him, as authorized by God?

Se of T anfwer ; a ,

i. That there is lictle queftion to be made, but that the Spiiit

[16]

LIL OLA LOL, CL TOL TTT 10 The Danger of Fighting agatnft God. of the man, was in {peciall manner touch’d and ftirr’d up by the

, Spirit cf God, to interpofe in the behalfe of the Apoftles, as he did ; as the {pirit of Nicodemus(another branch of the fame root ) formerly had been,to ftand up and fpeakein the behalfe of Chrift, tho 7.5 1

J 2 The principall end and {Cope ot what he {pake, being the

vefcuing of the Apoitles from the bloudy Counte!ls of thofe who had cor.cluded their death, and were contulting about the execution ; plainly flieweth, that chere was more of God then ordinary in the ching, efpecially if we contider further, that he who thus inexpectedly appeared with fhield and buckler for the Apoitles defence, was of that fect or generation of men, who generally hated and oppofed the Doctrine of Chrift with more inveterate and viperous malignitie of {piric, then any other. 3. Evident ic is, 1. that the intent, end, and {cope of Gumaliel in this {peech.to the Councell, being the bringing of the Apottles from the bloudy rage and violence of men,was good, and agreea~ ble to the will and word of God. And 2. as evident likewife itis, that the {peech it felfe, in the whole carriage, and in all the paffages of it,is duly, and with all exa&tnefle of wifdome and prudence, proportioned to the end,and tends in a direct and regular way to effect it. Now whatloever dire&tly and regularly tends to the ef-

feting of that which is good, muft needs be good, and confequently from God. That which is good may occafionally and by iome collateral] influence of Providence, be brought to pafle, by means that are evill, but in a regular and dire&t way, it can onely be produced by that which is good. There is no more friendfhip or fellowfhip naturally, between good ends and ill means, then is between light and darkneff:,Chrift and Belial. But 4. Candlaftly ) There being nothing in all this fpeech ( exsaierom oracu- cepting onely the hiftoricall inftances,the truth of which,jit feems, 4s inflar nobis was generally knowne among the Jews, and is attelted by Fofe-

De deo ie “04 bus their great Hiftorian ) but what is fully confonant with the ‘is bp i a word of God, (unqueftionably fo acknowledged } elfewhere, the ribus imped re credit and authority of it,for matter of cruth,is one and the fame pofit , humana with thofe other Scriptures correfponding with ic. Wb2t we bere vere {ud (pon Tearne ( faith Gzalter upon the place ) fbould be unto as as an Oracle,

wosd 37: in Afbs frrength

set Gente viz. that the conzfells of God are not to be defeated or bindred by any

[17] DS ES SCL ATE AIO TA TD AL TCE FE IE SAS NT OER SO 5

The Danger of Fighting agatnft God. EI

fleength of man but for the counfells of men,they falland fink sand come

to nothing of themfelves. . ; | |

In the words, there be thefe fix enfuing Points of Do&trine, faire and large, belides many others of a more collateral and illa

tive obfervation. |

Firft, From thofe words, ver. 38. And now I fay unto you , Re-

fraine from thefe men, and let them alone : for, exc. Obferve, that it és a point of much wifdome to forbeare the oppreffion, or fuppreffior of fucks perfons Dottrines, and wayes, which men have any reafonable canfe at a¥ to judge or thinke, that they are, or may be, from God,

Secondly, From thofe doubtfull expreffions of fo great a Do€tor of the Law, and one that knew how to meafure and eftimate the Authoritie and weight of a Councell-determination, and befides can no wayes be {ufpected ‘of any difaffeCtion or prejudicate-

neffe againft fuch Authoritie, from thofe doubcfull expreffions (I fay) of this man, If this counfell or work be of men,érc. And againe; fit be of God,g&c. Obferve, That the determintion of a Councell, or of the major part of a Cuuncell again{t away, Dottrine, or pratticesis no demonftrative or fuffictent proofe for any wife man to reft or build upon, that fuch away, Dottrine, or practice, ave not from God. The whole

Councell, as you heard, this one man excepted,had peremptorily concluded the Doctrine and prattice of the Apoftles, co be, not from God, but from men, and thereupon were in high confultationto fupprefle them, and that by death ; yet all this did not fatiffie Gamaliel in point of judgement or confcience, he was itll but where he was, doubtfull and in fufpence with himfelfe about the bufineffe.

Thirdly, From that claufe, If this counfell or work be from men, tt will come to nought | Obferve, that every invention, contrivance, Wty or device of man, e[pectally in things either appertaining or pretend~ ing to appertaine unto God, in matters of Religion 4 will in time weare out into nothing and be diffrived.

Fourthly,F rom the Connexion or dependance between the former and latter parts of ver. 39. But if it be from God, yee cannot defiray it, leftsérc. Obferve, That.for. ay mauzsor men, to attempt the fispposfiaayl ayy Doldrine, may ov pratife that_is from Gody is to fight a-

gtinfl God himfelfe.

C 2 FOV ND

iftly, From that fignificant phrafe or expreilion , of being

[18] | 12 The Danger of Fighting again God. | FOVND fighters againft God, ver. 39. Obferve, that many, who pol a vellyvbu fibly for the prefent may concerve and thinke, and that with much confiLUsy by A dethet, that they fight for God, when the truth comes to an unpartiall and

Ais gestag Be perfelt [canning will be found to have fought against bim. mo

i. a ixtly, ( and laftly ) From the importance and weight of that, tT emphaticall particle, evez,in the laft claafe, Left yee be found EVEN

fighters againft God ; Obferve,that fighting again ft God, is amoft dane gerous poflure or ingagement, for a creature to be taken or found in by

God at any time. The dread and terror of fuch a mifprifion as this,

them.

is the bafe and ground-work upon which Gamzliel builds the fabrick of that important counfell and advice, which he gives unto his fellows, thoroughout his difcourfe or {peech made unto We fhall for the prefent(paffing by all the reft) pitch upon that

Doétrine mentioned in-the fourth place ,. the tenor and effec

whereof was this; Fhat for any man to endeavour or attempt the fap= preffion of any Dottrine, practice, or way, which is fromGod, i to fight

againft God bimfelfe. | , .

_ For the fenfe and true import of the Doétrine, I fhall need to © adde little beyond what was {aid , in explication of the words ; — here we briety thewed what was meant by fighting againit God. T now onely adde this, (which is fomewhat more particular) that it is not every degree or kind of oppofing:'a way, Doétrine, or de-

: figne of God, which either the text,.or the Doétrine calleth z fighting again{t God ; but onely fuch ‘an oppofing which is peremp-~

tory, and carried on with an high hand, fo that thofe Agents or Inftruments of God, which he hath anointed to hold forth chat way, Doétrine, or Defigne of his in the world, are not fuffered to ~ execute their Commiffion, but are .countermanded either by the _ Authoritie or over-bearing ftrength and power of men. It-is one thing to’ oppofe, or contend againft a Do&rine or way of God, per modum Dottoris, as when.a Minifter through a miftake or weak-

id nefit of judgement, pleads for Baal againit God, preacheth error

| up, and truth downe,which may beetle beft and faichtulleft of men : another, to doe power, it Per santana as wien men will to af fumean Authoritative whether[users Eccleitaitique cr Civill, fuppreffe or filence the “bli hin radtifing, arguing, or debating

nach Wayes OF | vol of

. of fuch wayes or Dodhiines, with the jndeenents and conftiences

ee

[19]

. The Danger of Fighting againft God. 130

of men. Ic is true, even this-kind of oppofing them, is foméetimes incident to men otherwife upright in the maine before God: but ‘the children of this contention and conteftation againft their Makersmutt expe to be taught rsore wifdomeand reverence towards him, with briarsand thornes. Ifmen fight againft God. after any — fuch manner as this, upon fuch termes as if they were Gods too, this will ingage him to take up armes alfo in his own defence, and rovoke him to fight againft thofe, who fight againft him. This

for opening the Doétrine. |

For theconfirmation of the truth of it , wee fhall not need to caufe many Scriptures to labour:the word will be fufliciently efta~ blifhed in themouth of two or three of thefe Witnefles. Why doe pai, 2,1 ,23.. the Heathenrage,(faith David) and the people imagine a vaine thing ? The Kings of the Earth fet themfelves, and the Rulers take counfell together againft the Lord and againft bis Anointed, {aying,Let us break their

‘hands afander, and caft away their cords from us, &c. Thofe expref~ fions, of raging, fetting themfelves , taking counfell together againft the Lord and his Anointed, amount every whit as much as to a fighting againft the Lord. And what wasit, that the Heathen, people, Kings, and Rylers of the Earth, did, or attempted to doe againft the Lord and agazinft bis Anointed ; (meaning Chrift ) Was it any thing elfe

but to quench that fire, which Chrift (as himfelfe faith )-came to kindle, to fupprefle the Gofpel, to cut off thofe wayes of righteouf-

nefle and holinefle from the knowledge and praftife of men, |

which are therein recommended and held forth unto the world ?

‘Thefe are the bands ; which they fet themfelves thus to cut aftinder

and the ¢ords, which, if ic had been poflible; they would have caft from them. Sazl, Saul, ( faith the Lord ,Chrift from Heaven unto him, as he was travailing towards D.mafcus ), Why perfi_cuteft thon me? Andhefaid,Who art thou Lord ? And the Lord faidy I am Fefus,whum thou perfecuteft, 2. Act. 9.455- To perfecute Chritt

Cand confequénly ,God himifelfe, who is in Chrift, 2 Cor. 5. )imports every whit as much, as to fight agzinft Chyiftand fomewhat moore. But why is Saul here charged with perfecting Chrift? What courfe of hoftilitie did he run or praGtice againft him ? It is faid Cver.2.) that be deftred Letters of the bigh Prieft to Damafcus ta the Synagogues, that if he found any of this WAY, wether they were mer or

momen, be might bring them bound to feru(alem. Whereby it appears ) that

[20] .

ee eae ee en sentence ens nme A ESTILO EOC LTE ID

14 The Danger of F ighting agatnfl God. + menage Seman ENCES OCLC LOLS A CE I CA ES ; that the precife oppofition againft Chrift, upon which Sal was arrefted trom Heaven (as we heard) under the termes of perfecuting

him, was his attempting with fo high and bloudy an hand,to deftroy out of the world that WAT of worlhipping & ferving God, which Chriit in his Gofpel recommends unto, and chargeth upon the world. Aen and women were not the precife and formall objec of his hatred and perfecution,but that may of Chrift in the Gofpel, which they maintained, pra&tifed, and taught,who were perfecuted by him. [fhe could have told how otherwife to have gotten this AY out of their hearts, tongues, and lives, and confequently out of the world, then by molefting, vexing, and perfecuting them, it is not like that he would have proceeded againft them, with fo rough and cruel] an hand, Itis faid ( Revel.12.7.) That therew.zs warre in Heaven; Michael and bis Angels fought againft the Dragos; and the Dragon fought,anad his Angels. Whether Michael

in chis Scripture be Chrift himfelf, (as ancient Interpreters generally carried it) or fome prime Angel appointed by Chrift, to be asa Generall or Head to his Saints and fervants, in thofe warres and fiery confiiéts, wherein they were for a long time engaged a- .

gaint Satan, and his bloudy Agents in the Roman Empire, (as fome later Expoficors conceive ) is not much materiall. But it is

here exprelly faid, that the Dragon and bis Angels,that is,the Devill and his Inftruments, ignorant and bloud-thirfty-men, fought, viz. against Michel and his Angels, z. againft Chrift himfelfe in thofe

appointed by him tohold forth the way and Gofpel of his King-

dome unto the world. But why, or how are they faid to have fought againft Chrift ? What was their ingagement or attempt againt him ¢ Queltionleffe nothing elfe but the extirpation and ejeCtion of the Do&trine and Way of his Gofpel out of the world, by the torments,flaughter and ruine of thofe who profefled them, and by this profeilion, gave them a {pecial] fubfiftence and beeing

in the world. For that rule, Do&rine, or way, which is not pratifed or profefled in the world, languifheth, and is little better then dead. I adde but one Scripture more, and then I have done with the proofe of the Point, in this kind. Thex cometh the end

( faith the Apoftle, 1 Cor. 15.24.) when be Ci. Chritt ) fn pave

delivered up the Kingdome to God even the Father when be hall have put

dovene all rile, and all authoritie and power. Why the ed fhould not be,

aa

te =: | [21]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 15

be, untill Chrift hath pat dovwne all rule, and all authoritie and power,

i. all kinds of rule, Auchoritie and power ; this reafon is rendred, ver. 25. For he muft reigne, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. I demand, why fhould all rule, all Authoritie und power, as well Ec-

clefiafticall as Civill, be looked’ upon, as enemies unto Chrift? What is the enmity or hoftilitie they exercife againft him? Doubtleffe no lawfull rule, Auchoritie, or power, are enemies to Chrift, either in their nature or infticution,but are confederate with him.

It is their degeneration in their exercife and actings, that renders , them of an hoftile interpretation to him. There is none of them all but is apt ever and anon to be fighting ag.zinft him, and that by fome peremptory and. {tiffe oppoiing and fupprefling fome way,

Dof&rine, or pra&tife of his, where they have to doe. And this ‘is the quarrel! which the Lord Chrift hath to the whole fraternitie or aflociation of them ; for this he counts them his exenties. The reafons of the point, which we fhall briefly touch,are three :

Firft,He that attempts or feeks by an high hand to fuppref any z, , ont Dottrine, Way or Prattice which is from God, may well beconceived and faid to fight 2g.sinft Gad, becaufe he oppofech, and chat

with vehemence and might, che will of God, and that in a very confiderable a&, motion, or defire of ic. There.is no Way, Do&rine,or Praétice,which is from God,but his will ftands ftrongly

bent for the propagation and fpreading of icin the world. Iam pyr, 49 come (faith Chrift) to fend Cor, catt) fire on the earth : and what — co WILL I, Cor, whatis my deiive, as che former tranflation had it) if it be already kindled? meaning, that his defire to fee the Gofpel on foot, to fee it well taken, and. fufficiently rooted.in the world, was fo great, that when he once faw it, hecared not how foonhe lett the world..So Like 22.15. And he faid unto then, With defire have I defired to eat this paffeover with you,before I fuffer : mean= | ing that he even longed to erect and found that great Ordinance of the Supper, for the ule and benefit of the world in after times,

before he lef. the world. Many other Scriptures there are that tpeak this over and over, viz. that the heart and foul of Ged are rmly and deeply fet within him, co have fuch Wayes, Doétrines 4nd Ordinances as come from him, publified, maintained, prea~

ched, and held ferth unto the world. Therefore they who ingage themselves with all theix ftrength, and al! their might, to reii

[22]

16 The Danger of Fighting agatnft God. , fit this will: of his in the accomplifhment of ic, what do they elfe

but-fight againift him ? a Reafin2. _ -Secondly., Hee that magnifies himfelf to fupprefie, quath, or ~~ keep down any way,Practice or Counfell which is from God,proportionably oppofeth the glory of God, and doth what in him

lies, to keep God from being magnified in. the hearts and lives of »

men, at leaft as faras that Way, Pra&ice or Counfell which hee feeks to fupprefs, tends to fuch a magnification of him. And will. this, being weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuary,be found any

whit lighter, then a fighting againft God? Certain it is,that God hath (asit were) a ftock of glory in the hand of every Way, Dorine and Pratice, which he recommends unto the world; yea, in all and every of thefe, he hath a peculiar defigne for the exaltation of his Name. The beanty of the Lord is faid to be feen, or to | be bebuldin the Wayes and Ordinances of his Houfe, or Temple.

Pfal. 27. 4. There is no way or truth of God, but carries an impreflion init of fomelineament or other of the glory and lovelinefs of his face. So again, Pfal.67. The Prophet having (er. 1.) petitioned that at the hand of God, which (ver. 2.) might make his way to be known on earthserc. he breaks out (ver. 3.) in this propheticall ftrain, Let the people praife thee, O God, let all the people praife thee; clearly implying, that the way of God being publifhed,

and made known to the world, is that which increafeth che Revenues of the throne of Heaven, raifeth and procureth new contributions of praife and glory from men unto God. So then he that fhall rife up to oppofe the God of Heaven in any of thofe methods, counfels or projections of his, whereby he projeéts the exaltation and advancement of his own great Nameand Gloryin . the world, may in as propera fetfe,as the phrafelightly will bear, be faid to fight again{t God ; .efpecially, if we confider but this one.

thing further : that Geds glory is his darling, his wnica, his only

one,(as David cal'd his life,Eripe 4 gladio animammeam,a cane unicam meam, Pf22.21.) itis the only life which he lives in the world;

it is the only applethat his foul careth to eat of, out of that great Orchard which he hath planted (1 mean the world.) Therefore doubdefs, he that fhall oppofe him in his gathering of chis fruit,

; hath the greater fin. _

Reafon 3. Thirdly, (and laftly) there isin every thing thac proceeds or de-

rives

, —«L23) The Danger of Fighting againft God. 17 rives its originall or being from another, fomewhat of che nature, property, or {pirit of chat, from which it takes this rife or {pring ofits being : there is f{omewhat of the father in the childe, of the ‘root in the fruit and in the branches, &c. In like manner, in every Way, Doétrine or PraGtice which is from God, there is fomewhat

of God himfelf. The very fubftance, frame and conftitution of them, at leaft chat which is operative, quickning and {pirituall in them, what isit but a kinde of heavenly compofition, the ingredients whereof are the holinefs, wifdome, mercy, goodnefs and bounty of God? and what are thefe, and every of them,but God

him(elt? Every Ordinance or Way of God, is (as it were) a benigne conftellation of thefe ftars untothe world ; out of the midft of which he gives a gracious afpect of himéelf, and communicates

thofe fweet and rich influences of himfelfe, light, and life, and ftrength, and peace,and joy, unto the world. It is faid, (1 King.19.11-) that the Lord neither was in the ftrong wind that rent the mosnttainsnor yet in the earthquake that followed it,nor in the fire that came after that; but after thefe there came 2 ftill voyce, wherein it is implied,that the Lord was. The meaning is,that God

had neither prepared or intended, either the wind,earthquake or fire, by,or out of which toimpart himfelf unto his Prophet Elijah ; ‘he had only prepared and fandtified the ftill and foft voyce for fuch a purpofe as this ; and therefore he is exprefly denyed to have been

in any other, and confequently fuppofed to have been in this. In fuch a fenfe or manner as God was in this ftill voyce, heis in every

Way, Do&rine,and Ordinance of his ; in, by, and out of all and every of thefe, he communicates and imparts himfelf gracioufly unto the world. Therefore whofoever fhall fight againft any of

thefe, by feeking to {upplant, fupprefs, or keep them down, that | they may not raz and be glorified in the world, what do they elfe,

againft Godhimfelf? | ,

let this work and courfe of ‘theirs be truly interpreted, but fight We havedonewith the Reafons of che Doctrine ; we fhall conclude with fomewhat by way of ufe and application. Firft, by way of Inftru@ion: Ifto attempt the fuppreffion or keeping down,'any Way,Doétrine,or Pra &tice which is from God,

be of no lefs concernment, of no {afer interprepation, then a fighting sgainft God, then certainly ae is the greateft imprudence or

[24] A OT a LT LEST LES OS SIO CIOL I A =A: ALLTEL CLA nt CL CSCC PII,

18 The Danger of Fighting agatnft Ged.

or improvidence under heaven, for any man,or rank of men whatfoever,to appear,efpecially in any high-handed oppofition or conteftation againft any Way, Doétrine, or Practice whatfoever, un~ till chey have proof upon proof, demonftration upon demonftration, evidence upon evidence ; yea, all the fecurity that men in an

ordinary way (at leaf) are capable of, that fuch Wayes or Do&rines only pretend unto God as the Auchor them, and that in cruth, they are not at all from him, but either from men, or of a bafer parentage. For what do men by fucha practice and ingagement of themfelves as this, but run an apparent hazard, of dafhing cheir foot againft that ftone, at which Pax! ttumbled, (when time was) yea, and without the higheft hand of mercy that was ever lift up to fave a mortall man, had been utterly broken to pieces

Ads 9. by it? It is.2 bard thing for thee (faith the Lord by a voyce from heaventohim) reds xévzeg nanriees to kick or dafh thy felfagainft fharp goads or nails, made of Steel or Iron, (for fo the word

fignifies) meaning, that his undertaking, or fetting himfelf with {uch violence,to fupprefs that Way which Chrift hada purpofe to advance and fet up in the world, was anenterprife of the foreft and moft grievous confequence and portendance to him, in the nature of it, chat ever he could have lift up either heart, or head, or hand unto. Who ever bath been fierce againft him (faith Fobs{peak-

ing of God) and hath profpered ? Job 9.4 He that is ferce againft any Way or Doétrine which is from God, makes a covenamt with forrow and trouble,which is like to ftand. And (to make the bett of fuch a doubtfull and blind ingagement) put the cafe that chat Way or Doétrine, which men fhall profecute wich fo much violence and fiercenefle of {piric, fhall in conclufion be found to have been miftaken, erroneous, and not from God : yet, i. In this cafe men thall but offer the facrifice of tooles, a kinde of facritice; wherewith God isnot delighted. The Athenians wor{hipped the true God, as appeares by thofe words of the Aputile untothem, Ad. 17.23. Whom yee then ignorantly worfbip, him {bew

Ianto you; and yet were Idolaters notwithftanding. The iame Rom,to.2, Apoftle bears record unto his Country-men the Jews, That they bad the zeale of God; but this zeale of theirs not being according to kncwe ledge, in the profecution of it, they zeither ple zfea God, and were contrary to all men, forbidding the Apoftles to preach unto the Gentiles sae

they

a

: [25]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 19

they might be [aved, to fulfill their fins alwayes ; becaufe wrath was come : spon them to the wttermoft, 1 Thef. 2.15, 16. The beaft under the Law, though ic were a fir/t-borz, yet was not ao be fanttified or offered sto the Lord,if ic were either ame, or blind, Deut. 15. 19.21. Nor was any man, though of Aarons feed,admitted to ferve at the Altar, that had any blemifh or imperfeCtion of blixdneffe on him, Levit. 21. 17, 18. God regards no mans zeale without knowledge, though it fhould pitch and faften upon things never fo agreeable unto his Will: nor doth he care that his enemies themfelves {hould

be deftroyed,but upon lawfull triall and conviction.

Secondly, whatfoever Do&rine or Way is recommended and | tendered unto men in the Name of God, whether either the one or the other be from God or no,yet he expects from men (as well

- hemay) that reverence and regard unto that great Name of his, wherein fuch things are brought and tendered unto them, that they fhould be diligently confidered, and due proofe and examination made, whether they be from him, orno, before they be rejeCted,and much more betore oppoted. And certainly men do but pollute and prophane that ever-blefled Name of God, by making

refufe, yea, abomination (as many do) of fuch things as are brought unto them in that Name, before they know upon any confiderable grounds or terms of knowledge, whether the things be indeed from God or no; yea, though the things thus rejected,

fhould at laft be found worthy of no better entertainment, as , having no agreement with God or his Word. The event or iffuein this cafe, chough it fhould fall out tobe the beft for fuch men, will very little eafe or qualifie their fin. Shall not that wicked tyrant : and enemy of God, Eglon, Rife up in judgement,and condemne that gener ation of men we now {peak of, who, when: Ebzd only fignified

that he bad amef[age from God unto him, did not prefently reje& the | meflage before he knew it,ortall foul upon the Meflenger, but (as the Texth faith, Judg.2.20.) arofe up from his Throne, addrefling

himfelfin that deportment of Reverence to receive it?

Thirdly, (and hafly) Teis extreme madnefle inmen, to run the

: hazard we {peak of, I mean, of fighting againft God, in feeking to {upprefsfuch wayes or courfesas they arenot able to demonttrate, but that they are Wayes of God indeed, becaufe,in cafe they be not the Wayes of God, he himfelf will give teftimony from Heaven a-

| D 2 : gaint

[26]

20 The Danger of Fighting againft God. aint themin duetime, hee will fupprefle and fcatter them, and bring them to nought; and then there will beno danger for men to reje& and abhofre them. Dearely beloved (faith the Apoftle, Rom. 12.19.) avenge not your felues, but give place unto'wrath, i, unto

_ the wrath of God,whofe juft avenging hand is lift upagainft thofe that wrong you, and deal untuftly with you, and is ready to finite

, for your fakes ; as it followeth : For itis written, Vengeance is mine : Iwill repay, faith the Lord. 1c were great folly in any man, to expof

himfelt tothe juft offence and di:pleafure of God, by feeking to right himfelfe in an angry and revengefull manner upon him, whom he certainly knowes hath injur'd him, God himfelf bein g ready with the ftroke of juftice to do him right,and to. avenge him on his adverfary, though he himfelf fhould be patient and {it ftill.

Bat it would be a point yet of feven-times greaterfolly then fo, for aman to fall foul in a way of revenge upon an imaginary adverfary, and who(at moft) can only-be fuppofed or fufpeéted to have done him wrong, confidering that God. who is an infal-. lible difcerner and Judge of injuries and wrongs,and withall a juft Avenger of all fuch things, ‘will fhortly appeare for his full vindication, in cafe he hath been wronged indeed. Nor hath any man caufe in this cafe to feare, left, whileft she graffe gromsythe fled (bould

flarve, (as the Proverb is) I mean, that the perfon injured, whether really, or in fuppofition only, fhould futfer lofle, by poffefing his foul in patience, untill che day! of Divine recompence and ven-

geance fhall come. For God certainly will give full and ample confideration for all forbearance'and long-fuffering of men ,where-

in; and whereby the rights of his Throne are tefidered and maintained. Ic were no Ieffe then an exaltation of folly in any man, to expofe his own life to the ftroke of juftice, by affanlting the life of a malefa&tor whileft heis going to execution.

Again, fecondly, (by way of Inftruétion ) If to attempt the deftru&ion or fuppreflion of any Do&trine, or Way,which is from God in fo high’ and peremiptory a manner, as was formerly expréfied, be 5 fibliny araid God"; “take we knowledge from hence alfo, what fin by namein all Jikelilidod (at lea ft) and with higheft

pregnancy of conjectire,’ it is, which ever and anon.thus feparates between God'and us, which- ftill troubles our proceedings,

: eavens

and niakes the Sun of our peace to go fo: often backwards in the

[27]

pec EC etree ntti a neem “The Danger of Fighting againft God. at

ranean ammnecemrmece sn azo ta NaN Heavens thereof. Is there not a fighting aguin{t God among‘ us, as : well as a fighting for him? And do wee not pull down by the one, what we build upby the other? Are not the hearts,and the heads,

and the hands of far the igreateft part of men amongft us, ingaged, and that to the higheft of all biccernefle,hatred, and enmity, againit that Way of ordering the things of Gods worfhip, and of governing his Churches and Saints, which hath been, and ftill is, held forth in his Name unto this Nation, by fome Ambafladers and Meflengers of his, of a very choyce anointing, and indued with ftrength from on high, (many of them) as it were on purpote to ftand by fome fuch zy or countfell of God, untill ic had throughly taken thehearts, and judgements, and confciences of

men; beiides many thoufands more, and thofe (for the moft part) jof the beft and choyceft fervants of God amongft us? Is not this WA T blafphemied and {poken againft ; yea,is not the deftru&tion and ruine of it, with the grinding of the faces and brea-. king of the bones, with the fuppreflion and cruthing of thofe that hold it forth unto us, confulted, ftudied, and attempted by fome.

. that would be thought Pillars and prime men in the Houfe and Temple of God? And have they not a great vote of the generality

of people,who know little of God, or his Wayes, concurring with them, to ftrengthen their hand herein? May we not fay of this WAT, asthe Sos {ometime faid unto Pasl, concerning the Do-

| rine of Chrift which he preached, with thofe that profefled it ; Weknow that this Sect is everywhere {poken againft? A&.28.22. So aaas ao

then in cafe it ever fhall appear,or be found to bea WAT of God,

weare in a Premunire for the prefent,and have forteited our peace, help and comfort in God, as touching deliverance from our prefent dangers and miferies, by this our fighting againft bim. I prefirme you will all readily acknowledge and confefle,that if there be fuch a fin ruling and raigning amongft us, as fighting again{t God, this of all other,is like to be the Achan,the Troubler of our Hraelsthat betrays our armies,our faithfull and valiant men into the hands of their and our enemies,and that makesus ever.and anon,retrograde in our motions and tendencies.owatds reft and péace.Who ever bath hardened bimfelf ag sinft him:(faith.Job,:as wee heard betore) ard Job 9, 4

: ‘or: :

profpered ? If this be but granted, itis enough todemonftrateour = ‘cafe and condition tabe very dangerous and doubetull,at the belt :

[2.8] ~ | 22 The Danger of Fighting againft God,

For whether that A YT we fpeak of, which is fo generally troden and trampled upon like clay and mirein the ftreets, as well by the foot of ignorance and prophanenefle, as of learning and better accomplifhment,be the WA T of God,or no; mokt certaine it ischat all che wit, wifdome, parts, learning, judgement, that have encountered and oppofed it hitherto, have not been able by any demen ftrative or concluding proof, to overthrow that title or claim

which ic maketh unto God as the Author and Founder of it. Therefore unto meitisa thing of the faddeit contideration under heaven,and of more grievous portendance unto us,then any thing elfe, (as faras I am able to diicern) that we fhould hang the great weight of the peace and fatety of a whole Nation, all our hopes and expectations of help and afliftance from God in our greatett extremities, upon the brite pin of fo doubrfull a difputation, ‘as that which is maintained, and yet depending, between the one WAY and the other. For in cafe that “AY againft which the ipirits of men are fo generally and fiercely bent, thall at laft be found to bethe zy of God, we are all this while look’d upon from heaven as fighters again{t God, and fo have as good as given hoftages

roour enemies, that wee never mean to profper, or do any great thing againft chem. Whereas, ifmen would but follow Gumaliels counfel in the Text, and refrain themfelves for a feafon from laying either violent hands,or tongues upon this /ay,untill God had either untied, or cut the knot, till he had given fentence againft ic, _ the doubtfulneffe of the 4i{putation,need rot,would not be prejudici-

allin the leaft, either to our prefent proceedings, or future peace: and men do but make themfelves wife above that which i written’;

yea, above that which 1s either Reafoz or Faith, to think, or {peak otherwife. If it be obje&ted, that Reformation fuffers and lofeth time, becaufethat Wayis not yet hedg’d up with thornes, but men are fuf= fered to walk in it. T anfwer, Firft, Ifthe zy be one of thofe VV ayes which call God Father; Reformation indeed fuffers,and lofeth time,but not becaufe this muy is not hedg’d up with thorns, but becaufe itis nor laid more open, becaufe itis not repaired and made more paflable by the favour and countenance of men in place, whether Minifters or others ; that fo the people of God, whofe hearts are towards it,

may walk therein with out feare. 2. That

eee [29]

‘The Danger of Fighting agatnft God. 23

2. That reformation (focalled) which is the apple of fo many eyes, and the joy of fo maay hearts, needs fuffer nothing,nor lofe

an hours time,though the Way we {peak of,be occupied in peace by * tn feyerall

thofe, whofe feet by the light of Gods Word and Spirit (at leait populous as they conceive) are guided into it. For what doth the poor Flie towns in the

fitting on the top of the wheel to hinder the Waggoner from dri- raid re ving on his way ? If the refidue of the Nation be fubjected to this very sth pa Reformation, the Nation it felf may be faid to be reformed (ac- not every ge cording to fuch a denomination; as this Reformation will af- perfon (as | ford) notwithftanding fuch a number of perfons (comparatively ave fbecn fo inconfiderable,I mean,as touching their * number) as adhereto predioy in

this W2zy.be not concluded in it. During the regency of Prelaticall ls de extravagancy, there were many Non-conformitts 5 yea, feverall: into any of Congregations of people in the Land, who openly difclaimed and their Churprotefted againft chat government ; and yet the Nation was look'd - ches,and yee upon as Epifcopally reformed, notwithftanding. The irregularity mery of the

of the mountains and valleys in the furface of the earth, troubles Nation . a no mans opinion concerning the perfe& roundnefle of it, becaufe puted Presby:

‘eis fwallowed up into victory by the vaftnefle of the globe. Fobw terial. faich, that this whole world lieth in wickednefe, notwithftanding a * Jeh.s. 19. remnant who were born of God. The gleanings of Independency (fo called) will not hinder the vintage of Presbytery.

3. If a complete Nationall Reformation be indeed the Gar- | Jand or Crown that is coritended for, let but Presbytery beftir her felf, and a& her part within her Jurifdi&ion, with as much diligence,wifdome and faithfulnefs,as the Congregationall Way willun-

dertake to at hers amiongft her Profelytes; and there will not be - the leaft occafion to feare, but that the whole and entire body of the Nation will fhine with the beauty and luftre of a perfect Reformation. If this Way fhallbe found tardy, or loofe, and not to keep pace with her fifter in carrying on the work of Reformation, even her enemies themfelves being Fudges, let her fuffer; yea, let

her with her children be caft ouc of doors. Therefore it is but a frivolous and putid {lander caft upon her,when the is charged wich

enmity to Reformation: But,

4. (And laftly ) J would gladly know, what, or what manner of Reformation can réafonably be expected, or hoped for, with-

out her. Such a Feformation, as that whereby that Angel 0

[30]

24 The Danger of Fighting againft God. | of darknefle, Satan is reformed, when he # transformed into an An~ >Cor.11.14, gel of light (as the Apoftle {peaketh ) is no reformation of defires :

open loofenefie and prophanenefle reformed into Pharafaical] hy- . pocrilie, brings in little to Religion. For what faith our Saviour of fuch a Reformation as this ? Verily I fay unto you, that Publicans and Marth.21.31. Harlots go before you into the Kingdome of God. If then fuch a Refor-

| mation as this fhould take place,it is much to be feared, that when 7 the Genealogie of it fhall be fought, it will.be found to be of the houfe and linage of that Reformation, which the Soribes and PhaMatth 23.19, rifees attempted in the world, when they compaffed Seva and Land to make one Profélyte; and when he was made, they made him twofold more

a childe of bell, then he was before 5 yea, then they were themfelves s

Or, what is the Reformation, wherein the Way wee {peak of, cannot be admitttd to have either part or fellowfhip? Will it take the members of an Harlot, and make them the members of Chrift, whether

either Chriftsor fuch members themfelves,will or no? Or will itundertake to reconcile darknefle with light, to fettle a communion betwixt Chrift and Belial, to:throw down the partition wall, and

snake the Wilderneffe of the world the Garden of God,the Church , and the world enter-commoners? Or what is the glory or great~ neffe of che defign.of it, that the Congregationall Wy is counted unworthy to be fo much as a ftander by, and to behold it? Will

ic lift up its hand, to quafh and crufh, tobreakthe hearts and bones of the one half of the moft religioufly affef&ted, and beft confcienced people in the Land, for trading in Apes and Peacocks,

| for holding fome erroneotis opinions (perhaps erroneoully fo called) as if ic felf were the Lord of infallibilicy, and had a om effe errare fetdled by God, as aninheritance upon it? I profefle inge- nuoufly, thacwhen1I put my felf intoa pofture of the greateft in- — dulgency I am able,to confider of the reformation fo much {poken of,'and even confli& with my {pirit, to forme and caft the poffible effects and fruits of it to the greateft advantage, I am not able to apprehend any thing defireable likely to. come of it, either in re{peck of a ‘civill, or religious accommodation ‘unto the Nation, above what might be expeéted, and that uponterms of afar more promifing hope, from the other Way which indureth fo much contradiction from men. But I apparently forefee many incon-

veniences, and thofe not of a light or contemptible importance

ey

[31]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 25 likely to attend it,for which no place would be found in the other W a.Particularly,it is to me in ftead of all arguments and demonftrations, that no Reformation is according to the minde of God and of Jefus Chrift, which is deftru&ive to the edification of the Saints, and dire¢tly impeding their growth in graceyand in the knowledge of the Lord Fefis Chrift. And whether fuch a Reformation ( if

yet it be lawfull fo to call it) which injoynes the Saints to fit un~

der, and hold themfelves to fuch Paftors, with whom their hearts : cannot clofe in that relation with any tolerable fatisfa@tion, nor yet are capable of his Miniftery,or any edification by it,be not un= der that condemnation, I leave to men that have not fold themfelves under partialitie, to judge and determine. If it be faid, but men fhall have libertie to choofe what Paftor they pleafe, and to fit under what Miniftery they defire, if they will but choofe their dwellings accordingly. I anfwer: 1. There may be (and I beleeve are) many ofa rich anoynting from Ged for the work of the Miniftery , and much defired by a confiderable number of godly perfons, in Paftorall relation , who mutt fay their confciences nay, to accept of a Parochiall charge. In this cafe the change of a mans houfe will doe nothing towards | the blefling of his foule ; if fuch a. Reformation, as moft mens thoughts run upon, fhould be eftablithed. 2. All the dwellings within the Parochiall line, relating to the Paftor that is defired, may be fill’d with Inhabitants already ; and - fothere is no place, or poffibiliry(at leaft for the prefent ) for him whofe foule longeth after that Paftor, to enjoy him :and when,or whether ever whileft he liveth,the door now fhut againf him will be open, no man knoweth. 3. Many times the fituation and conveniency of a mans prefent dwelling for trade, imployment, &c. is fuch, that he cannot remove,but at the perill of his eftate, and ruining himfelfe and his whole family. And how they, who fhall.compell men, either to ‘facrifice their peace,comfort,and fubfiftence in this prefent world,

orelfe run the hazard of lofing a fubfiftencein that whichis to come, will anfwer it either before the righteous God, or reafon-

able men, is above my apprehenfion. ,

E what

4. This liberty of choofing Paftors only by choofing houles,is fo

conditioned, thatit {miles only upon the rich, (and that but fome=

[32]

26 The Danger of Fighting again{t God. what faintly neither but frowns upon the poor;and fo is partial], and therefore not Chriftian. He that hatch enough of that,which Fccle(t0.19, (as Solomon faith) znfwers all things,may probably be able to accommodate hinifelf within che precin&ts of what parifh he pleafeth, in

point of dwelling ; as either by buying out fome Inhabitant, or by purchaling ground, and building upon it, or the like ; but the cafe of the poor man is many times fuch,that he cannot tell where to finde another hole in all the world co hide his head in, beiides

that wherein it is hid already. So that this liberty of chooling a Paftor,being nothing elfe,if plainly interpreced,but onely a liberty of chooiing fuch or fuch a Parifhdeterminately to dwell in, is litle better chen a meer collufion, in refpe& of thofe that are poor, and (indeed ) rather an upbraiding of them with their poverty, then any gratifcation of them with a liberty. 5. (And lafily) fach a liberty as this we now fpeak of, were it more valueable then it is, sno gratuity, benefit or blefling of that Preftermation fo importunely demanded and preffed for by many, being nothing elfe, but what was every mans permiffion and enjoyment under the iron rod of Epifcopall tyranny.I am more be-

holding to every man that comes neer me, for not taking away ny life,then I am to any Reformation what(oever, for giving me liberty to choofe my Paftor upon fuch terms. This for anf{wer in full co that undue charge againft che Congregationall Way where-

in it was attainded of inconfiftency with , and enmitie againft

p Reformation.

op: A fecond obje&tion levied againft it, and all fufferance of it,by thofe that are adverfaries to itis, that ifit be permitted quietly to walk up and down amongft us, and not be {uppreffed,’ ic will {oon make the Land unquiet,fill the Land with troubles, tumults, diviiions,diftra&ions,diflentions,difcontents, confufions, in City,

in Countrey , in relations, in families, and where not? To this alo I anfwer. 1. That peremptorinefieand height of confidence in an acculers is nofigne at all of reality or truth in the accufation. Wee know John 9.24. Clay the Jews concerning Chri‘t) that this man is a finner, Joh.9.24And again, Fob. 8. 48. Say wee nut well, that thon art a Samaritan, and baft a Devill ? And yet for all their kvowledge , and confidence ot well-(beaking the Lord Chrift was never the morceither a Senner,

ot

[33]

pe cern AL A OT LCN TS LO Se The Danger of Fighting agatn{t God. 27

or a Samaritan, or bad a Devill. The Way we {peak of.is never the neerer the guilt of thofe things that are charged upon it, becaufe her accufers bewray fo litcle tenderneffe or hefitancy in drawing

up their charge. : , 2. Nor isthe tragicall dreffe or pointed ftile of an accufation

any demonftrative proof ofa guilt commenfurable thereunto ; no, nor yet of any proportion or degree of guilt at all. Want of crime

and delinquency, either in things or perfons, which are accufed, many times makes a greater noyfe in the accufation, then a reality or fulneffe of guilt would do. Innocency hath begotten the rankeft and fierceft accufations that ever were managed by the tongues or pens of men. Thou loveft all devouring words (laid David )O thou de- Pfai, 64, 4 ceitfull (or,falfe_) tongue. They that accuie cither upon knowledge or feare of little or no guiltin the accufed, ftill labour to lay onaccufation enough, left nothing otherwife fhould be beleeved by the Judge. That mount of accufation which js raifed fo high againft

, the Way wenow maintain, doth not at all prove that there is any thing in ic that deferves battery. 3. There is no fubftantiall reafon at all can be given, why this W sy fhould occafion troubles, divifions, difcontents, or the like, above the rate of that other Way, which fo much magnifies it felfe

againit it; except ( haply ) this, that it hath more of God and Chrift in it, then that other : and then it is no marvell if it be more offenfive, and troublefome to the world. But fuppofe both equally intereffed in this, I affirm and undertake to demonftrate,

that in the nature, frame, and conftitution of it otherwife, itis every whit as gentle, {weet, complying and accommodating, and no whit more threatning or portending troubles or diftra€tions, then the other ; yea, that in all fuch confiderations as thefe,it hath

the preheminence: For, 1. It feeketh not, it attempteth not the moleftation, harm, or

difturbance of any fort of men that are contrary-minded to it ; it thinketh no evill, ic Speaketh no evill of fuch : if ic conceives them

upright and faithfull with God and Jefus Chriit, it imbraceth

them with all love,tendernefle and honour, as part.zkers of like pre cious faith with it felf ; and nothing doubts,but that they ferveand worfhip God with as much fincerity and finglenefie of heart, and

2 2. If

are accordingly accepted by him in their Wz, as it felfe.

[34]

28 The Danger of Fighting again(t God. 2. If God fhould pleafe to give it favour in the eyes,and intereft

in the hearts of the powers of this world, it thinks it very unChriftian and unworthy,toarme it felfe with this intereft,to fight _ againft the peace of the confciences of other men.: If any of this W ay have mifcarried in any of thefe particulars, they have done it as men,and not as children of this Way;the principles of their Vay —

taught them better things. And why, or how a Way, baptized intono worfe, or harder {pirit then this,fhould-come to be arraigned, asa troubler of ‘State, or ftrife-maker, a diflention-breéder amongft men, except it be by a fpirit of contention and ftrife indeed,is to me a thing incomprehenfible. Neverthelefle,it is no new thing,that both the wayes and fervants of God fhould be charged with fuch crimes and demerits,not onely whereof they are wholly innocent and free, but which have a {peciall contrariety to fome fuch grace or vertue, wherein they have a remarkable and choice preheminence above others. Thus Jofeph , the great mirrour of

, chaftiry, was accufed of Adultery, 3 9. Mofes, the meckett

man upon earth, of ambition, and felf-afluming, Numb. 16. Elijah of being the troubler of J/rael , 1 King. 18: who was the Chariot and Horfe-men of Ifrael,to defend it, 2 Kixg. 2. The Lord Chrift himfelfe , in whom the God-head dwelt bodily, of. baving a Devill,

7 Fob. 8. and fo of being a enemy unio Cefar , when as it was, and is he, by whom Kings reigns. with many the like. Therefore however it may feem ftrange that a Way of God; which is eminenly

, fet, ftrongly bent, and (in a manner) every wayes calculated for peace, fhould fuffer in the tongues and thoughts of men asa diflurber of States, and fower of diflentions amongft men, yet‘is there nothing in this ,.but what hath been a&ted, and that over

: and over upon the Theatre of the world formerly. If ic be here replied and faid ; Yea, but experience rifeth up, and confirms the truth of that accufation and charge againft the Way you {peak of, which you would wipe off; this fhews and

: proves againft all deniall and exception, that where your Wzy is entertained, Congregations are torn, families rent, relations diftanced and divided, &c. I anfwer,firft,chat Ariftotle long fince obferved,that pera‘ zi70,08¢ Sie s%70,wasa very frequent Paralogifme or miftake amongft men, nothing is more ordinary then for men to range confequents and

, ‘effects

[35]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 29 efie&ts under one & the fame notion, efpecially where the difpro-

portion of caufality is not very notorious and broad. A man in reafon can hardly think, that any man, compos mentis, (as we ule to fay ) fhould be fo defeétive or weak in his intelle€tualls, as to think that the building of Tenderton Steeple, fhould be the caufe

of Goodwins Sands, only becaufe thefe fands wereneverknownto

be before the building of that Steeple ; yet old M*. Lztimer relates the Story in one of his Sermons, and improves it to very good purpofe : By fuch a form of arguing as this,: Judas his betraying his Mafter,fhould have been the effeft of the womans powring out that box of oyntment upon his bead , mentioned M€at.26.7. For he

never betrayed him untill this oyntment was powred out upon him ; and immediately after, hedid. The Way we {peak of, is never the more any caufe of troubles, diffentions, or divilions, becaufe troubles, diffentions and divifions, many times follow upon the embracement and entertainment of it. 2. If croubles or divifions were the proper effects of this Wuy,

then the more, and more generally it were taken upand practifed . in a familie, Citie, or Countrey, the more troubles and- divifions there would be. Effects are ftill found in proportion to their caufes, where nothing interpofeth to hinder it. But where it is generally affented and fubmitted unto, whether in families, relations, or otherwife, there is as much unitie, love, aud peace, ( as touching-matter of government _) as where Presbyteric hath its higheft throne. Therefore the reafon why troubles and divilions fometimes accompany it, is not becaule it is. intertained, but becaufe ic is not intertained fufficiently, or with that generalitie of confent,

which is defireable.

3- When troubles and divifions are occafioned in relations, families, Congregations, &c. by the meeting together of two oppofite wayes, why fhould the one way be ftill burthened and charged with the occafion of fuch troubles , and the other acquitted, there being no ground or reafon at all, why either that which is

acquitted , fhould be judged more innocent ; or that which is charged, more obnoxious or peccant, in this kind. Nay, 4. Ifmatters were duly and fairely examined between the two Combatants in this cafe, the Way we plead for, would be found via latiea, the candid, harmleffe,and peaceable way «and her cor-

} rivall

A

[36]

30 | The Danger of Fighting againft God.

rivall or competitrefle,zi2 fzmguinea, the trouble and ftrife-making Prov,t2.%o. way Onely by pride (faith Solomon ) cometh contention. Surely that

| ° way which commandeth homage and fubje&tion unto her from

all her fellowes, and threatens to breake them all in pieces like a potters veflell with a rod ofiron, if they will not bow, and deny themielves for her fake, is the way of pride, and fo of contention, ( according to Solomons Logique .) not that which is gentle, and eaiie to be entreated by all others, claiming no fuperioritie or jurifdiGion over any. If there be any clafhing or unkindnefle between the two wayes, Independeny (fo called ) and Presbyterie, when they meet together, either in a relation,familie, &c. the very complexion of the latter bewrayes that to be ftill the foundrefle or

the quarrell. To me it is a wonder of the firft magnitude, how men come to have fo much ground of hope as to fet their foot up~ on, of compofing differences and diftra&tions, of fetling peace and

love throughout the Nation, by exalting one way of Bik line,of Church-Government, for the treading downe and tram ofing unEfa.g.21- derfoot all others. If Ephraim be again{t Mmaffeh, is it any wayes like but that A@zz2ffeh will be guint Ephraim °? And God hinelfe

Gen. 6, = prophecyimg of Ibmael, cold his mother, that he would be a wild man:and that bis hand fhould be again{t every mansand every manshund

again{t bim. Undoubtedly that way, whofehand fhall be againft every way, will find that the hand of every way will be againtt it: and then what manner of peace can reafonably be expected under the predominancy of fuch a way ? That ay which fhall be able to out-reafon, not that which fhall ovt-clebbe all other wayes, will at laft exalt unitie,and be it felfe exalted by gathering in all other Prov.12. 27. wayes unto it. Solomon tells us, that all that is taken in bunting,is Proyezo,2%, not alwayes roafted; and chat az imberitance may be haftily gotten, and yet the end thereof not be bleffed: and the Prophet Habakkuk deHab te 12 ounceth a woe againft him that fball build a towne with bloud. Bat,

5. I would gladly know what the plaintiffe in the obje&tion means, by diftra&tions,rents, divifions,in relations,families, Con-

gregations, &c. If he means onely this, that the father goes to heare one Minifter in one place, and the fon another Minifter, in another,and that {ome within the fame parochial] line goeto this Minifter, or are members of this Church, others toanother Minifter, and are members of another Church, and the like, &c. I an~ wer,

ne

7 [37] The Danger of Fighting azcinit God. 31

wer, Thatin this cafe, I know no more occafion, (at leaftno more neceflitic) of any diftra&tion, rent, or divilion, then when the father being free of one Company, as fuppofe of Merchant-taylors, fhall {till upon occafion of the meeting of this Company , repaire to the hall belonging to it; and the fon being free of another, as perhaps of the company of Grocers, fhall upon the like occafion repaire to the hall appertaining to them. Who knows not that the members ofall the feverall Companies in London,dwell {catteringly and promifcuoufly up and downe the Citie , with the greateit irregularitie of intermixture that lightly can be, and without any obfervation of their relations to their ref{peCtive Companies, fundry members of twenty feverall Companies (ic may be) inhabiting within one and the fame parifh; and yet without any complaint or inconvenience of rents, diftrattions, or divifions ? Or if by rents, diftvattions, and divifions, he means diftances or alienations in affeStions ; nor can thefe with any face of reafon be charged upon that way , whofe caufe we plead ; becaufe ic is a maine principle and maxime in this way, to hold terms of love and Chriftian corre{pondence, with all perfons of what judgement foever in point of Government, if they be godly, as well as with her owne children (as hath in effect been argued formerly.) But in this cafe the Roman proverb(it feems) mutt be verified 5 A:milius fecit, pletti-

tur Rutilius. Or 3. Cand laftly.) if by rents, diftrattions, rc. he means,the fhaking or troubling of mens judgements, railing doubts or f{cruples in mens confciences concerning the way they went —

peaceably in before: I anfwer, 1. Thatif they were built upon {ure and cleere foundations in their former way, there is not the leaft ground or reafon why they fhould be troubled or fhaken in their judgements, becaufe they fee another w.2zy a€ted and pra ftifed

by others: or 2.if they were but at peradventure in their former way,and it was not the knowledge, but the ignorance of rhe truth, that both put them into it,and kepe them in ic, they have no caufe to complaine of being awakened out of fo finfull and dangerous a fleep, though it were never fo fweet and pleaiing to them. Burt, 6. (and laftly ) Seppofe that all which the obje&tion chargeth upon the zy we {peake for, be granted for truth , that where thir Way comes and is entertaincd,Congregations are torne, families rent, re~

lations diftarced, gc. Yet this maketh much more for it, then again{t

[38]

32 . The Danger of Fighting agatnft God. ainft it ; becaufe fuch figures and charaéters as thefe, are the Enowne impreflions of the Gofpel upon the world where it comes Luk.12, 51, in power,and is entertained in truth. Thinke yee (faith our Saviour) &e, thet Iam come to grve peace on earth ? I tell you, nay, but rather debate. Fo: from henceforth there fball be five in one houfe divided , three againft

treo, rid two againft three. The father {hall be divided againft the fon, and the fon againft the father : the mother again{t the daughter, and the daughter again{t the mother ; the mother in law aguinft ber daughter in Law, and the daughter in lavp again{t her mother in law. Nor isit tobe conceived that thefe diviftons in relations and families, foretold by

Chrift, as the common and ordinary effe&ts and confequents of the Gofpel ( for in different refpe&s they may be either ) are to be limited onely to fuch either relations or families, wherein the ground or occalion of the divifion fhould be, the receiving of the Gofpel in the maine truth and fubftance of it by the one partie, the other partie abfolutely rejecting ic, asif they were onely to take place in fuch cafes as this;but they are to be extended to fuch both families and relations alfO, where fome particular and fpeciall points or truths of the Gofpel are intertained by one partie, and rejected by another, though both agree as well in the beliefe, as in the Profeflion of the Gofpel in the generall. Experience fhews that rests é& divifions take place in both,as well, yea,and that with as much heat and diftemper of affeGtion, in the latter cafe and up-

on the latter occafion, as in the former. Now if the queftion in this latter cafebe, Whether the occafion of the divifion be rather to be imputed to the truth held and prattifed by the one partiey or tothe error held and pra&tifed in oppofition to the truth, by the other : The an{wer is, that where all were before bound up in unitie and peace, by a common band of error , there the occafion of the divifion muft needs be imputed unto the truth comming amongft them. Therefore were it granted , that the way fo much contefted againft, did indeed occafion, rents,d:vifions, diftr attions,

in relations, in families, in Congregations where it comes, this would rather tsrne unto it for 4 teftimony, and aflert its originall from God, then otherwife : The Gofpel it felfe works no otherwife then thus, where it is preached and intertained. And as Arifiotle {uppofech, that in cafe any piece or fragment were broken off from the maine body of the Heavens, it would move circular-

Yo

L39]

The Danger of Fighting agatnft God. 3370C~*# ly, according to the natural! motion of the maine body ; in like manner any particular opinion or pra@ife which moves, ads, and works, according to the manner and tenor of that motion, acting, and working, which are genuine and proper te the Go{pel, is fo much the more likely to be a parcell or branch of the Gofpel : but however, fucha moving, a&ting, and working as

this, can with no femblance or colour of reaion, be drawn into a

any contrary interpretation, or be made an argument of the nonconformitie of it uuto the truth. A third objeCtion againft chat way whofe condemnation outruns her eriall day and way,in the world ,is, that it opens adoore to all errors, herefies, and uniound opinions, yea to all loofenefle and prophaneneffe, and confequently it cannot but be a thing difpleafing unto God, and fo prejudicial! to the peace and

fafetie of the Nation, if it fhould be tolerated, or pratifed amongit us. Butto thefethings alfofull and clear anfwers are not wanting. For, Firft,it being cercain that error cannot be healed or fuppreffed bute by che manifeftation of che truth, as darknefle cannot be de-

ftroyed or removed but by the fhining of the light; thac way

which affords the greateft advantages and the beft incourage- ! ments unto men, both for the fearching out, and bringing forth into light. the truth being found, muft needs be fo farre from

opening doores unto errors, berefies, unfound opinions, &c. that it | fteers the moft advantagious and hopefull courfe that lighrly can be taken, for the evi&ting,and confequently for the fuppref-

fion of them, I need not adde, that it is the congregationall way (and this onely amongft all its fellows) that rejoyceth in the method of this warfare and advance, againft thofe enemles

of God, and Religion, errors and herefizs. And, : _ Secondly,for the way fir-named Presbytertaz which conjures all mens gifts, parts, and induftrie into a fynodicall circle, and {uffers them onely co dance there, as it may poffibly fhut the doores againft {ome errors.and herefies, which were not lif: to ftay long, in cafe they fhould enter under the other way ; {a it 1s in every whit as much poflibilitie and danger, of fhurting the doore upon, and compelling fuch errors and herefies as are al-

By

readie gotten in, and otherwife have a mind tc be gone, to Ray

[40] | IE I LOO OLED EOIN OC Oe Tae SE SARA eas. st INSP alesse eas

34 The Danger of Fighting again(t God.

by ic ,and fo to infeft and annoy the truth, and peace of the Churches of Chrift, againft their wils. Bur,

Tairdly, I would gladly learn of the fons of this objection, how, which way,or in what refpe& the mzy fo much objected againft, commits this folly-deed of opening a doore unto errors and hercfies. Certain I am, firft, chat this mzy hates both the oneand the other withas perfe@ an bstred, asher competitrefle Goth, Secondly, I fully beleeve, that chis wy is as diligent, faichfull, and induftrious to flay thefe enemies of Chrift by the {word of the Spirst, ( which is in{peciall manner con(ecrated for ftich executions) as the other way. Thirdly, if the error bedangerous, amounting to, or neer an herefie, after two or three admonitions (that is,according to her warrant from Heaven ) fhe

cafts itout of the line of her communication, unto him who caft it in(I mean,Satan.) If to hateerrors andherefies,cto preach with all diligenceand faichfulneffeagainft errors and herefies, to excommunicate errors and herefies, be toopena doore unto error and herefies, chen muft the adverfaries of the »zy whereof we {peak, be juftified in their accufation of her : otherwife they {peak at the utmoft perill of their reputations, when they lay fuch things to her charge. If it be here replyed and aid; Yea, butall this notwithftanding, the wzy you plead for,is but feeble-handed, for che fuppref fion of errors and herefiess becaufe thefe, though hated, preac hd

againft, and caft out of the Church by excommunication, may

yet liveand gather head againin the world, except error and errant be fartherreftrainedby a fecular hand, and hercfie and heretique putto filence together in the grave. And this, which is the moft, if not the onely effectuall means to preferve the wheat from thofe tares, the way of your defires exercifeth not,

‘nor yet approveth. |

Tan{wer: firft, we prefume chat Pri(ons and Swords are no

- them Char cb-officers, nor any appurtenances to any Ecclefiaftique authority in what form of Government foever. Secondly, we fuppofe that the Lord Chrift fo far tendered the fpirituall fafety and peace ofhis Churches, asto leave chem {uf-

ficiencly furnifhed, and every wayes appointed with internall provifions, for the effectuz!! procurement and prefervation of

[41]

a LL CT A UR np psessosnusrnasnumnmpear sess The Danger of Fighting againft God. 35 them, without any concurrence of any heterogencall or «xter- | nall power, Efpecially confidering, that he fore-faw, that rhefe Churches of his, for the {pace of three hundred yeers togecicr, and fomewhar more (during which rermehe knew likewile that they would continue in their greateft puritie, and perfection of love and loyaltie towards him ) were not like so have any accommodation at all in this kind from any fecularor civill power. Thirdly,though the Churches of Chrift, during this period of time whereinthey had no comportance with any fecular arm for

their prefervation either in this or any other kind, were not wholly free fromerrors and herefies; yet did they quit and defend themfelves againft the danger {preading and troublefomeneffe of them upon better terms, and with farre better fucceffe, then they were able to do afterwards, when they had an arme of flefh and a {word in it, to affift them. Note this.

Fourthly, if perfons delivered up unto Satan by the Church, , whether for Error, Herefie, or other crime, were prefently to be cutoff by the fecular Sword, all opportunitie for the effe&tuall and faving work of that ordinance of Chrift upon the perfons fo delivered up» wouldbe cat off alfo. The Apoftle, 1 (orinth.s .5. exprefly affirms the end of Excommunication or delivering up unto Satan, to be the deft reeffion of the flefh, that the {pirit may he fa-

ved in the day ofthe Lord Fefis, Andi Tim,1,20.he faith, chat hehad delivered Hymenens and Alexander unto Satan, that they eight learn not to blafpbeme, Now as naturall medicines and phyficall receits, muft have atime to work, before they can in an ordinarie courfe of providence producetheir moft proper and defired effects ; in like manner the ordinances and means which the Lord Chrift hath gracioufly appointed for the everlafting falva-

tion of the precious fouls of men, muft, according to che nature

and condition of their re{pective workings, and the tenor of Gods providence obferved for the time of his falling in with them to make them effedtuall, have their full and juft allowance

of time given and permitted unto them, to work upon men effe- | &ually. And whofoever fhall limic or ftraiten the providence of God, in this kind, by any hafty or violent taking away a foul from under the influence and working of any ordinance of Chriftappointed for his falvation, before theblefied work of

F 2 Repentance

RR EAT ell

[42]

: 36 The Danger of Fighting againft God.

Repentance be accomplifhed in him, will be arraigned before the tribunull of the living God, as acceffarie to the blood of chat foul, except he can fhew a better warrant from God for fuch an

ation, then I know any. And God himfelf havirig no where

p-efcribed or linited any determinate or fet time, within

which he intends to make the fentence of Excommunication after the paffing of it by che Church, eff. tuall to the faving of the foul, or otherwife never todo it , I conceive ic can be no leffe then ana& ot high prefumption in any man to undertake any fuch pre{cription or limitation. AsGod by the voice of the Math, 20.6. Gofpel cal's fome atthe third and fixch houre; fo he cals others at thenioth, and (me at the eleventh houre: and why may he not work favingly, by the fentence of Ex-ommunication with as much libertie, and difference in refpe& -f time? And this fentence being the laft and utmoft means which God is like to af-

ford a poore hardened, imp nitent foul for the eternall peace and {alvation of ic, how can it but be conceived an a& moft unworthy of Chriftian bowels, to cut him off from this alfo, whiltt God isplzafed co fpare him? Ific be here objected and faid, Bus ifan herecique be fuffered to live, he is in danger of infecting

others, and deftroying them eternally I anfwer: fir, fo ts a drunkard, a fornicatour,afwearer, a covetous perfon, with the like; thelives ofall thefe kinds of finners are of as dangerous a confeq sence in refpect of infecting , yea and of deftroying the {culs of others, as the life of an heretique is: an 1 yet no man (I prefume ) judgech this a {ufficient ground why fuch men fhould

punifhed with death. Secondly, as for thofe chat are wichin the Church, they are not capable of any communion or commetce wich an Heretique thar is caft out by Excommunication,

, and foare not in danger of being infeéted by him : and for ‘thofe : that are without, thefe are infected already with a difeafe every ‘whit as mortall, as any herefie, I mean unbelief. So that infeion wichherefie, will not much impaire the efiates or conditions of chefe. Thirdly, (and laftly) che trurh is, chac an Heretique being dead (efpecially if punifhed with death for his opinioa fake ) {peaketh in his {urviving herefie with every whit as

, much authoritie, and confequently with every whic as much danger of infe&ing others therewith, as he could do if he were

alive, ifnot with more. And fo, | Fifthly,

, [43] The Danger of Fighting again{t God. 37 Fifthly, (and laftly ) concerning other civill means for the fuppreffion and reftraint of thofe {pirimall evils, errors, herefies, &c.as imprifonment, binifhment , interdi&ions , finings, &c. both reafon and experience concurre in this demontftration, that fuch fecters as thefe put upon the feet of errors and herefies te fecure and keep thein under, ftill have prov’d (and are like to

proveno other, but) wings whereby they raife themfelves the higher in the thoughts and minds of men, and gain an opportunitie ofa further and ranker propagation of themfelves in the world. Ic was an obfervation of Zacism long fince, that paniti ingeniis gifcit anthoritas ; To punifh men of parts and wit, is to caft a {piric of Authoricie upon them, and to make their reputation glowe. Men of ordinarie capacitie, and vulgar apprehenfion,are and ever will be inclinable co think, that men of wifdome and worth will never expofe themfelves to fufferings, bur for that which is weightie, and which hath more init, then every

man feeth. And befides, men of better breed, may eafily be

{wayed by fucha principle as this, chat wife men, whileft they , have the advantage and odds of their adverfariesin reafin , will never renounce or difclaim this fo honourable an advantage by calling inthe more ignoble affiftance of hornand hoof to their aid. It is true, when Chrift was handled with this rough hand we fpeak of, that piece of prophecie was verified; J will {mite the Shepherd, and the fheep foall be fcattered ; but ordinarily the {miting of the Shepherd or head of any Sect or error, is che ga-

fheep. But |

thering together, yeathe multiplication and increafe, of his Fourthly (tothe main obje&ion laft propounded.) whereas. the innocent way is condemned as cpeningadooreto all loofeneffe and prophaneneffe, fhe may juftly take up Davids com= plaint, and fay, Cruel witneffes did rife up: they laid to my charge

things that I knew not, Pfal. 25.11. Theverytruthis, that this way, above all her fellows, is fo farre from holding any intelligence or corre{pondence with loofeneffe and prophanenefle,that

| her face is fet toadvance righteoufneffe and true holineffe in all her quarters. Her heare runs parallel with Davids heart in thofe his meditations and vows, Pfal, 101.3, 4.&c. J will fee

| F 3 afide:

no wicked thing before mine eyes : Ibate tbe work of them that turn

[44] | en 38 The Danger of Fightrng agarnft God, ere enen TT NS R ENT tanay afide : it fhall not cleave te me. I will not kiow a wicked perfon, Who fo privily flanderetb bis neighbour, Lim wil 1 cut off shim that bath an bizh looke,und aprond beart, will I not fuffer, Mine eyes fall be spon the faiibfull of the land, that they may dwell with me : he thas walketh ina perfect way, foallferve me, He that worketh deceit, hall not dwell within my boufe s. be tht telleth lies forll not tarrie in m y figot. Iwill early deftroy ald the wicked of the land : that I may cut

iP all wicked doers from the Citie of the Lord, This is fuch a draught and copie of Reformation as the Way we {peak of ( mu satis mutandis ) emulates, and afpiresunto. If David in thofe refolutions and praCtifes mentioned, opened a doore to loofeneffe and prophanenefle, then cannot fhe excufe her felfe from part and fellowfhip withhin, in that fin, It ic be replyed and faid ; but this wzy taketh care for none in point ofholineffe, but her own: {he fuffereth all the world abouc her to fe én wiekedneffe, and to fleep in death, without look-

ing after them, or taking any pitie or compaffion on them. To this alfo we anfwer in one word : That the doth as tenderly, as affectionately defire and pray for, yea and with as much diligence and faithfulneffe, yea and prudence of endevour otherwife, and likelihood of fucceffe, attempts and feeks the falvation of thofe that fit in darkneffe, and in the fhadow of death, as any other way can do, It is true, the doth not judge it any wayes conducing towards the quickning of thofe that are dead in fins and trefbaffes, to put them into aconceit that they are living ftones ( whileft they are yet dead ) by putting them into the building of the fpsrituall remple of God :

fhe knows no fuch method or means of converting fouls unto : Cor,t1. 29, God, as this, Nor doth fhee willingly fuffer any man to eat and drink damnation unto him(elf, to further him in his falvation. Nor doth fhe make faith of apparent unbeliefin parents, by baptizing cheir children, as any wayes accommodating the fouls either of the one, or ofthe other. Therefore if thee declines fuch things as thefe, it cannot be argued from hence ( except either ignorance,or a worfe Logician, makes the fyllogifme chat therefore fhe negleés or cafts offall care of feeking the falyation of others; but onely this, that fhe thinks ic no point either of wifdome or charitie to expofe her felfe to the difpleafure of God, by doing

that

a

[45]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 39

that, which is more like toexpofe others alfo to the fame ftroke, then any wayes to comfort orrelieve chem, But whatfoever fhe canreafonably conceive orjudge to be ameans any wayes likely

to favea foul from death, to tranflate men froms darkneffe unto life,

fhe girds her felf'to minifter unto the world both farre and neer, in every fuch thing : She cordially prayes for the converfion of the unconverted, fhe mourns over them, fhe caufes ber light to Shine before them, fhe bears their burthens, fhe intreats them gent-

ly, the feedstheir hungry, and cloatheth their naked (as fhe is able) fhe recompenceth evill for evill unto none of them, with all fuchexemplarities of life and converfation, whichare fan&ified, and appointed by God for the winssng of thofe without the

Word, who relate to obey it. 1 Pet. 3. 1. And befides all this, (that whichis the firft-born means of converfion ) fhe preacheth the Gofpel with as much diligence, and faithtulnefle, and power, and with as much libertie and freedomeunto all to partake with her in this her miniftration, as any other way whatfoever: yea, as readie and forward fheis as any other, ro.contribure her pro-

portion to the full, whether in counfell, purfe, or otherwife, for the furnifhing of all checandlefticks in the land with burning and fhining lights,I mean for the ereCting and fecting up a faith-

full preaching Miuniftery throughout the Land, yea if it were pofible, throughout the whole world. Therefore Fifthly, (and laftly, to the main objeCtion) whereas this way with thepermiffion and fufferance of it, is burthened with this jealoufieand fear, that it is fo highly difpleafing unto God, that he is noc like to turnin. mercie unto the Nation, untill it be re-: moved, and all the factors for it taken away. I anfwer. Firlt, that chis, jealoufie and fear is of the fame infpiration, with that wherewith Rud/a2keh of old, fought to pofleffe the heart of the good King Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerufalem, that fo upon the difcouragement they might be the imore willing to compound for their City. But sfthon fay to meywe truft Ya, 36. 7. in the Lord our God; ts st. not be whofe Ligh places, and whofe altars

Hezekiah bath taken away, andfaidto Fudab and Ferufalem, ye foal | wor (bip before this altar ?. That which Hezekizh had done (in de.

ftroying Idolatry ) wich great acceptation in the fight of God, and which confequently was in it elf a pledge and confirmation

unto

[46]

40 The Danger of Fighting againft God, unto him andhis pecple that God was and would be wich them co fave them and their Cicie out of R.://bakebs band, this doth this deceived ambitious mancoutrive into an argument cf jeaJoufie and fear unto them, that Gcd wis offended wiih them; and fo reprefents their bepe and confidence, in the fhape of diffidence

and deep difcozrzgement'yntothem. He that perfwaded the woGea.3.5. man, that Cod knew how chat én the day wherein they fhould eat of the tree 81 the midteft ofthe garden, their eyes foould: be opened, and

they be like gous, &c. hathCit feems) pofi ft many amongft us with this femblable apprehenfion, that from the day wherein they fhall dcflroy that way we {peak ofout of the Land, and fupprefle ail chofe chat walk in it, God will be gracious unto them, and remember their iniquities no mre; as if to facrifice the chil> ~ dren inthe Fathers fight, were the onely means of making. a~

tonement with him. Bue |

Secondly, how doth this carrie any fhew or fhidow of reafon or triithin it, that God fhould turn away his face from a £ State or Nation, for not haring his people, or for refufing to per-

(2 fecute bis ancinced ones? God fometimes faid,T hat Nation whons they [hall ferve, T will iedge. Gen. 15.14. Ishis mind fo far altered in this point, chat now he fhould fay, the Na:ion who fozll give

them libertie, 1 will indze? Thegencrall rule of reftraint which God hath charged u; on States, Kingdoms, and Nations, is this: Pil.tog.1g. Louch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm : and hath he

any where made Independencie (fo called) an execption from | this rale ? or hath heany where made Presbyterie a diltinguifh-. _ing charaGter of fuch of his avinted ones, who muft nor be tonch'd, from others of them, who may be crufi’d, and whofe bones 2:9 be brok.n ? Surely circnme'fton and #:eircameifion differs |

ed as much, as Presbyterie and Independencie can do: yet the Apoftle tels us, Gal. 6.15. that iv Fufus Chrift neither circu meifion ‘av ileth any thing, nor xncircvmetfion, but anew creiture. It Inde-

pend:ntes be mw crestzres, andborn of God. their Brethren need not fear any di'p'eafure orange: from their Fathcr, for faffering them to dwell in peace by them in the fame Land ; but have caule,

to rejoyce in fuch thelr neizhbourhood and foctetie, as being pillars of the fame ftrength with themfelves, to fapport the

Stace and Nation whercin they dwell. Burt | Thirdly,

| [47] ‘The Danger of Fighting again{t God. 4I Thirdly, (and laftly) when mens table becomes a frare unto them, Pial.69,22, and thesr welfare a trap, itis afigne that God is about to bew down Ver.25their backs, if not to make their habitations deflate, Whenthe Jews

began to reafon after this manner, (and to a& accordingly ) If we let him thus alone, all men will belceve on bims and then the Romanes fall come, and take away both our place and nation; it wasa loh.t1, 48,

* prefage, that the Romunes indeed would come, and take away both; which they didnot many yeers after, ALake the beart of ihts pcople fat Cfaith the Lord by his Prophet, concerning the fame people) and make theireares hestte, ard fost their eyes, left th.y fee with their Ma,6,to. eyes, and hear with their cares, andundvftind with their heart, and convert, and be bealed, J fay no moreinthis, but onely pray with

all mine heart,and with all my foul, that th. people of this Kingdom, may fee wsth their eyes, and bear with their eaves, and under fiand with their hearts, that they may convert, and be healed. The Heathens were wont to fay, Jupiter, quos vult perdere, dewaentat,

: _ Another objection leavied again the Way is this: If this way be let alone, and fuffered to take place, it will ftill undermine the credit nd comfort, of many wo:thy and confcientious Minifter: in the fand, Fur as faftas they, through the bleffing of God upon thiir faic! ful! labours in the work of the Miniftery,

fha!] convert ‘ou's unt. God; this “ay will allure them away from them unto it felf ; wh.reby their hand muft needs be en| feebled wer. and difccuraged to their work. But to this .alfo I an_ Firft, chat ifthat way of Government and worfhip, wherein _ thofe good Minifters fhall walk , who are fuppofed to convert people ut» God, be indeed and in truth the way of God, there is lictle ground or caufe of fear,thac any other way fhould feparacte between them and their converced ones. For firft, the ve-

tie grace of converfion, being difpenfed unto thefe by their hand, isa greatand folemne ingagementupon them, to love and honour them above others. S:cordly, the perfon being dearly Jov'’d, and hig!:ly honour’ J, gives credit and intereft both in the judgements and affections of thofe who dofolove and honour, co allhis matters, as well of opinion as practife; at leaft is com-

G pleat

[48] | 42 The Danger of Fighting againft God. pleat armour of proof againft any prejudice in refpect of either, Thirdly, when men and women are converted unto God, they are endued with a principle of aneerer and more inward fympathie and compliance wich all the wayes of God,then they had before. So that there is more caufe for Minifters to fear the

withdrawing of their people from them before their conver-

fion, then after, in cafe the way of worfhip and government which they imbrace, be of God. For in this cafe and fuppofition, uncunverted ones have no inward futableneffe of. foul, to incline them to love or delight in this way, and confequently their hearts muft needs fit loofe (if they {tand notin oppofition) to it: but thofe that are converted, are baptizedinto fuch a {pirit, which is apt to comport and correfpond with it. Again

Secondly, ifthe hearts of men and women upon cheir converfion unto God, are fo generally found ( for otherwife there isno place for the jealonfie, which is the ground of the objection ) to fandin propenfion to this wz7, is not this an argument, ifnot demonftrative, yet of a very high importance to evince, that this way is of atruth the Way of God? I willwait on thy Name (faith David) for it #3 good before thy Saints ; or, becaufe thy

PfaLs?.9- Saints like it well (as another cranflacion reads. ) So that this great

Prophet and King thought the general] approbation and concurrence of the Saints, fufficiently affertive of the acceptablenes of a way or pratctife, in the fight of God. Thirdly, thofe Minifters who have the {pirit of this glory caft

upon them by God, to beget fons and daughters unto him by the Gofpel, have no canfé to enviethe line and meafure of thofe

who receive them from their hand, upon fuch terms, That which our Saviour {pake in another cafe, is every whit as confiAG.21039- derably crue in thts: #2. that it 2 amore biffed thing to give, then toreceive : And the Apoftle Pax! makes no other accounr, burt that his relation ofa f ivituall Father unto the Corinths, his beetring of themby theGofpel, was much more honcurableunto

fim, then the relation of an Inftrudtor, or builder up, was, or tCor4.1s. would beuntoothers. For thongh you bave ten thoufand Inftrwi. ors in Chrift, (faith he ) yet bave yz not many Fathers : for in Ch-if Fefus Lhave begotten’ yon through the Gofpel. And cl{e-where he

countsic amafter-piecein the {pirituall building,to lay the foun-

dation.

[49]

The Danger of Fighting agatnft God, 43 dation, eAccording to the grace of God whichis giverto mz, asa wife t Core3-t0 ma fter- builder I bave laid the fonndstion, and anoxver buildeth there-

on, So. then, plenting being more Apoftolicall tien watering ( ix was /anl that planted, and but Apollus that watered, 3 Cor, 3. 6.) and laying the foundations of life and immortalitie in men, cf a

more honourable interpretation, then the building of them up in their Faith ; the Minifters fo much tendered. in the objeétion, have not the leaft colour for any fuch grievance or complaint, as is there prefented on their behalf, indeed and in realitic of cruth nome>-re, then the Agoftles had,ted forthof complaining airft {uch Minifters and themfelves Paftors, who flocis of Chritt which they had firft converted untohim... :ndwithintall rebr.7.7.

wied, of zhe greater. , contradiction (faith the Apoftl ) the defer + bleffed, but never ez.

— Foursnly (acd [:ftly) the gracious and bountifull God hath fo laid i: in is cousfell and decree, that, though the faying be truce, which our S svisur taketh notice of, Fob. 4. 37, That one foweth, anc another ve peth; yer both he shat foweth,and be that reap-

eth, *. Jdreioyce tege-fer, ver. 36. Sothatas Abigail told Duvsd, , Sain.2s. go

thar 4 *be Lord fh. ald bave done unto bim all the good which he 35, bad pr mifed him, it word be rogrief unto bint, nor offence of mind, thet had not foed blaod canftef{>, er avenged bimfelf;no more will it be sive feaft occafion ofunccomfortableneffe or complaint unto

Minifcrs, who have becnf.ithfull unto God,and brought home foul antahim, win they fral: Prine ae tars in the firmansent of Dan.12,3; Hi. .ven, that fome . f the children of their labours departed from under heir hand when rime was, to feck pafture and foul-

accommodations e'fe-where. |

Another objection t-eming to war with an high hand againft the way hicherto protected, is this: Can that in reafonb.: thought

to be the w:y of Ged, which fecm: th foonelyin the .vesor a few inconfiderable, end( for the moft part )illiterare perfonst and notrather tha., which triumpteth ‘9 the voreand /uffrage ofa Reverend, learned, piousand trequcnt A:mbly-; vea and further hath the appr:bation of many wifeand worehy perfons in fuli concurrence withic? Do not wife meu fee more then thofe thar a ‘eweak, anu many, thenfev->? Taniwer,

G 2 race

Firft, chat Solemon retsrned, and faw under the Sun , that tbe Eccief9.11.

nna L5o]

44 The Danger of Fighting agatnfi God.

_ paceis nottothe fwift, nor the battell to the ftrang, neitber yet bread to

she wife, wor yet riches to men of under ftanding, uor yet favourto men of skill ; but that time ard chance bappeneth unto thim all, meaning,

that God ftill refervesa liberty to himfelf to interpofe , and to. carry the iffues andevents of things againft all advantages and likelihoods of fecond caufes, when and where and as of as he ,. Pleafech. ‘And therefore as King 4/2 in his cry unto the Lord his 2 COF TAIN: God, faid, Jt is norbing with thee to belp, whether with many, or wish

them that baveno power in like manner it is but of one and the fame confideration with God, to bleffe the world with the Revelation of truth, whether ic be by few, or by many, by thofe that are learned, or thofe that are look’d upon as men of {mall underftanding, Nay, Secondly, if we confule with the tenor of Gods providence and difpenfations in this kind, our information or anfwer will béaccordirg to the tenor of our Saviours. gratulation ( being now in: kind of rapture or exultation of {piric) unto his Fathers Lukso-ar, Ithank thee, O Father, Lord of beavenand earth, that thou b (ft bid

ee thefe ti.ngs from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes seven fo Father, for fo it feemsed good sn thy fight. Though God

be at libercie, to make the firft dif{covery, or communication of

*Mud'sias ov- the light of his Trach, unto the world, by greater numbers of Hy) 7A mcn, and thofe learned and in high efteeme for wifdome, as by

py Councels, Synods, and Conventions of men eminent in their

tani udoy Valifieations, as wellas by oneor fewer, and thefe under no. Soamules # = yreat obfervation for either ; yec by the more frequent experioexbinw. Ai ence of allageés it appeareth, chat hecaketh pleafure in this latter yp ota remh- wav, rather then inthe former. Doubtlett it wag not. without

as he aha fome very conliderable ground and reafon,thac that ancient and os i, tee Kat learned Father *Gregorse N_xianzene fhould fay, that he never | aloo dye {aw goodend, or dcfirable tucceffe ofany Conncell; or that they iyen'en x procut’d any decreafe, buc racher increafe of evils. Yea and adds: xieviriey thatihe pertinacious contentions, and inordinate defires of do~ _ dxgcer 3 7* mineering or bearing rule, were fuch3 as words contd not exfixer WO Be fle, “Him (faith the Apoftl:) Godr4fed up the third day, and

: made: _ & Np acee foewed him openly : not unto Lith: people, but unt. witneffes chofen bex

pam fore of God, even unto x8, who did eat and drivk with bim aftr be B&.10.4041 nofe fromthe dead. Marya woman, had both the firtt revelation

[sr]

cmaceemmca amma tasmanian I The Danger of Fighting againft God. 45,

miadeunto her of Chrifts rifing againe from the dead,and alfo the firft enterview and fight of him after he was rifen. Fob. 20. 12.14. The Scripture takes {peciall notice of Lots departure from Abrabam, before God was pleafed to make that excellent difcovery of himfelfe unto him, fpoken of , Ge. 13.14) 155 &c. Yea,moft of thofe revelations of himfelfe, which he was gracioully pleas’d to impart unto his ancient Church of the Jewes, were not imparted unto them by their Synedrion or Great Councell, but by particuJar men ; wholikewife ufually (it not alwayes) received their in{pixations from God, in their greateft privacie and fequeftration ; yeas and that ( if the obfervation of the Rabbins will hold in thae ehalfe})whilft they were yong. That light of Evangelicall truth, wherein the Reformed Churches reioyce at this day, yea,and tri-

umph over Antichriftian darknefs,did not break out oftheclouds _ : of Councels and Synods unto them , but God caufed ic to fhine upon them, from fcattered and {ingle ftarres , as Luther , Calvin, Zuinglius, Martyr, &c. God never took any pleafureto cumber his ~ arme with flefh and bloud, when he meant to doe any great thing for his Church by it. Wee find him once complaining right out, that the people were too many for bint , to give deliverance or victory Judg, 7. 2.

by ; but we never heard of any complaint from him that they were too few. And why may we not think, but that God may as well fay within himéelfe,that there are too many leared and wife men in a great Councell, tor him.to reveale trath,or to give vidtory againft error by? The reafon of this kind of difpenfation is obvious ; and therefore I forbeare (for the prefenz) co infift upon it.

, 3. Asa prefuming confidence of a mans leggs, is a figne of fuch

a time or chance (in Solomons phrafe ) wherein the race (ball not be | to the fwift; and fo the challenging a viCturie,qs it were of courfe,

becaufe we have chariots,and horles, and vatt multitudes 6 >

that Debs e a Be PoE HITT WHT SIO

and Councels hall beare them ‘elves inordinately upon their nume

bers and multitudes, upon their wiidome, learning, and pictie, and becaule of the(, fhall Cucon the matter) challenge an infalli-. bilitie- ( for what doe they !e'te, when they command all mens jadgements and contCiences co bow downe at the feet of cheir determinations? y chis is litule leffe then an authoriz:d ground of Divination, chat they will mifcarry, and that God will noc ho-

pour

en er a

| [52] :

46 The Daayer of Fighting agataft God.

nour them,with the difcovery of any of hisTruch unto the world. A ‘Synod or Councell, though of men never {0 confcientious and leamed, though never fo both frequent and fervent in fafting and prayer bzfore God, that thall affemble and meet together upon fuch cerms, I meane foas either to expec, but efpecially peremptorily to conclude,before hand,that all men fhall make Faich and practife of their decifions, or elfe be cenfur'd, and made to fuffer Ezek. 14 3, like evill doers 3-doein this fer sp their idols in their heart,and put tbe flumbling block of their iniquitie before their face : and confequently deveft theméelves of thac capacitie,wherein they (hould be meet to enquire of the Lord. Shoseld I be enquired of at all by them ? (faith God himéelfe Exe’. 14. 3. of fuch, Indeed where grearer numbers

of men, accomplifhed with grace, and parts of learninz , thall at

: femble together, with humilitie and meeknefle, and zor ends pro=

portioned to the line and {phere of men, as 272. candidly and unpartially to argue and debate, and {fo to finde ouc the Truth in

things appertaining unto God, onely with an intent and defire to be helpers of the Saints joy, by mating rough things plain, and things that were hard, eafie, and dark things, lightfome, and not 1Cor, 1.24. toexercife a dominion over their Faith ( asthe Apoitle {peaketh ) by an authoritative them out of their prefent Indgement, what ever it commanding be, to doe homage to the refu'ts of their bates, whether they fee lightand cruth in them orno ; they may expe&t a {peciall prefence of God with them, and the Churches of

God about them, may comfortably waite for fomewhat more Proy.24, 6 Of the minde of Chrift from them, then they knew. In the multitude of {uch Counfellors , there may he Jafetie, as Solomon tpeaketh.

I would gladly beleeve, if I could find where to fet the fole of the

foot of fch a Faith, that Councels and Synods are wont to meet upon fuch terms: which if they doe not, I am ( almoft)) as farre out of hope ofhaving the joy of my Faith holpen or increafed by them, as lam of gathering grapes from thornes, or figgs of thiftles.

And therefore, a -

4- (and lastly ) Whereas the objection urgeth, that wife men

are like to iee more then thofe that are weake,and manv.then few:

I antwer, Thatthis is not alwayes found irue,no-not ii nauuralfs civil] or a‘tificiall things, wherein notwichftanding there is ufually a greater regularitie and uniformitic in the actings and workings of fecond caufes ; much lefle is it aliwayes true in matters be-,

| longing

| [53]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 47 a ne LS TCE TETAS ELA SETAE SSeS EnSane, loriging unto God ; wherein himfelfe more frequently interpofeth

by his prerogative, and ordereth the tenor and courfe of occurrences and efiects, befides the proportion of fecond caufes, by the

ood plealre of his will. All the greatand rare inventions of the world, which either former, or latter ages have brought to light, were nct the iflues or refults either of the thoughts or ftudies of the wifeft or learnedeft of men, nor yet of the confultations or communications of the greateft numbers or multitudes of men: but the wife Ditpoter of all things, according to his owne good pleaftire and will,caft this honourupon particular and fingle men, ( for the moft part ) and thofe not alwayes of the moft learned or

profound, as by many inftances might readily be evicted if it were , neceflary. And Solomon reports unto us a cafe, wherein one poore Beclef9, 15

man by bis wifdome delivered a Citie out of inminent danger ; which — Cit feems ) all the reft of the Inhabitants did not fee or apprehend how to doe. Yea,in Councels themfelves,or greater aflemblies of

men, it is ufually feene that fome one, or few , either of predominant parts, or authoritie among{t them, {way and fteere all the proceedings, and att the judgements and affections of the reft, though confcientious and learned toa degree. So that upon the matter, and jut accompt, the refolutions of Councels and Synods themfelves, are but the fruits or puttings-forth of the learning, and judgement, of a very few men ; and whether thefe be alwayes of the moft con{cientious, I had rather others fhould con-

fider, then J determine.

The laft objeétion defigned for prefent examination , is this : that the intent and project of this way, 1s ambitious, high, and dangerous, that it aflecteth a Di&tacorthip Exclefiafticall, a power of Law-giving, that ic undermifies Civill or Parliamentary Authoritie, &c. But to this alfo we an{wer (omitting what was formerly faid, concerning extravagant height of accufations and charges,and the flender probabilitie of truth in them : as likewife concerning the fpeciall difpofition of God in ordering the malice or ill will of thofe that are enemies, either to his people or wayes, ftill to fhoote the arrowes of their accufations againit their brea/tplate of righteoufnefféy where it is ftrongeft and Jeatt penetrable.)

1. That there is not the leaft colour, no,nor the leaf colour of a colour, to charge any ambitions or Di&atur-like defigne upon

this Wzy. The reafonis, becaufe the mo eflentiall iptriniecall, a

a

[54]

48 The Danger of Fighting againjt God.

and fundamental] principles of it, ftand diametrally bent againft all di&atoring, and law-giving by men, in the things of God. The Sunnemay with asmych,or more reafon be fufpetted of confulting darknetle againft the world, as this Way of meditating or pro‘ecting any Authoritative greatnefle unto it felfin this kinde. Indeed, when it degenerates from it felf, and pafleth into another kind, there may be fome danger and fear of this Vay; asthere is that Honey fiould turn into choler, when the native property of it is altered by the ftomack. A Congregationall man become a Claflique, may as foon as another make a Son of fuch a defigne

asis {pecified in the objeftion. |

- 2. Ifthe Way weefpeak of, fhould be fo contradiétory to her felf, as to desire or proje& fuch a Kingdome, as fhe ftands charged

within the Obje&ion; yet fhould not the wold have the leaf

caufe to fear her profecutions or executions in this kinde. If the Lamb in the fold fhould threaten or rojet the flaughter and de ftru€tion of all the Lions in th Wildernefie, had thefe ever the

morecaufetobe afraid of her? The king d nd powers of this world, Teed not Fear ether the numbers or power of the Saints, for taking away their crowns, or buealking t King away their crowns, or breaking the {cepters- of

their rule and government,untill the world that now is be tranfla-

ted into that which Is to come. And therefore, ~~

“3. Whereas this ay is further arrefted by the Objection, for a Pioner and underminer of Magiitracy,or Parliamentary Authority; lanfwer, that there is nomore in this Wuy to undermine or ~ endanger any Civill Authority or Power whatfoever, then there Dan6.t0.22, was in Daniels heart to prejudice thelife and honour of the King, when hee prayed three times a day, (contrary to the Kings commandement) or then wasin Pauls Do&trine of Juftification by F2ith to make voyd the writings of AZofes, or the Law ; whereby indeed

he did eftzbiijb it (as himfelf athrmeth, Rom. 3.31.) though the Fewes apprehended, and charged him with the contrary. And

, Joubslelle the learned Gentleman, who undertakes the wmnmarKing

Indenenden. Of Lndependency, (which never wore any) is in an utter miftake, cy st amine 4, notcnly of the intentions of the two Brethren of this Way (who unmask’d,&c. ever they were) whofe words he citeth, p. 3. of his late Exzmina-

: tion ; but alfo of the rationall and Granmaticall conftruegion

and import of the words. For whereas they fay, that a man may as well bring a clean thing out of an unclean, 06 make a fpirituall exatraction

[55]

The Danger of Fighting againft God. 49 tyattion out of @ fecular rcot, the Gentleman will needs interpret,thar they make both Parliamentand Aflembly fecalar and sclean; whereas by the tenor and carriage of the whole paflage,ic is as clear as the Sun, thatin neither of thele expreffions they refleé& either upon the one, or the other ; no,nor yet in thofe following words, wherein they affirm, that it will be demonfiratively prov'd (againt their adverfary,who makes the Law of the State the-firft and moft confiderable band or tyeupon men,for their fubmiffion to his Church-government) that be refolves the government of the Churches of Chrift(in thelaftrefolstion of it into the humers, wills and pleafures of the world, yea, of the vileft and moft unworthy of men.

And therefore, whereas upon his citation of thefe words, his demand isy Brethren, bona verba quefo, the Brethren upon his interpretation of them, have far more reafon to make this requeft unto him; Brother, bonam gloffam quzfamus. The words are good, if the interpretation did but

anfwer. For doubtleffethe Brethren in the mentioned period and ex~ preflions,refle&ted only upon the generality of the people in the Land, who according to the Lawes of the Land ; yea,according to the principles of all reafon and equity, have the right of nominating perfons into the places of Parliamentary truft and power ; but have no Autho
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{cientious and truly mortified Chriftians , famous for greatelt piety and

devotion in their refpective generations. Oo Joh.3.95 . St. Pobsfaies, That light s come into the world, andmen loved darkneffe 29ait+ rather then light becan{e ir deeds were evil, for every one that doth at > hatethlight, neither commeth to the light Ieft his de eds fhould be repro-. ved , but be thar doth the truth cowsmeth to the light , that his deed§ may be made.manifclt, that they are wrought in God : Methinkes we may well

refemble the true profeffours of Jefus Chrift, tothofethatfeekthelight, that the truth which they teach may be made manifeft; and contrarywife fuch to be falfe prophets and hypocrites,that hate “ss light let their beloved errours and counterfeit doctrines fhould be difcovered,reproved and forfaken : Indeed many a man hath been over confident , and delivered up bis body to be burnt in a bad caufe, but this fhould make fuch as have a good one, to gather fo much more courage to themfelves, and not decline any lawfulltriall or difputation, whereby falfhood would be ‘yanquifhed, and the light of truth fhine out , fo much more amiable and

bright, as before it had greater oppofition. | mS

Inthe ordinary courfe of the world betwixt two which are at law together,when either. of chem ufes meanes to prolong the fuit,and prevent what poffibly he can the comming to a Judgement, may we not fay,and that jultly too, that fuch'a man hath a bad caufe, or elfe that he hath not all his proofes.and evidences in readinefle, efpecially if we fuppofe that he knew he had a Judge who bothunderftood his canfe fully,.and would infallibly do him juftice? {urely the fame may be faid and that more. war-

rantably concerning Religion, and differences in opinion about any

point thereof. | Confidence and boldneffe prevaile fometimes, and that nota little e-

ven in a bad-canfe, but never fail when they maintaine a good one; we A&.4.13. may feeit inthe Ads thatboth Peter and Jobs , with the caufe of Jefus Chrift fped the better for their boldnefie , which when the Scribes, Elders, Annas, and-all high Prieftskindredfaw , and perceived'that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled,and took knowledge that they had been with Jefus, And beholding the man which was healed landing with them, they could fay nothing agatnft it ; and how wonderfully the caufe profpered hereupon appears in that fourth Chapter to the efits, which is well worth reading ont , and canno: by a heart truly Epi 3.12 fanctified be paffed over without great admiration: St.Pas/ confirmés it 3 ed ‘ unto the Ephefians,faying, That through faith in fefus Chrift we have boldneffe and acceffe with confidence: And tothe Philippians he hath yet a‘fuller expreffion, where he fayes, I know according to my earneft expectation, and hope that i# nothing I foal be ashamed, but that with all boldncffe, a6 alwaiss

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alwaies.fo now alfo Chrift fhall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life vor death, and having thé confidence I know that I fhall abide and continue with

‘yon all, for yout fuitheran ce and joy of faiths Surely.as all true Beleevets

havethe fame good caufeé andGofpel, fo canthey not poffibly fare worfe if they had but fuch a faith and confidence as Pauls was :' Now Jim. 220 true and lively faith cannot be without works, and the moft eminent and glorious worke of all, is to feek the propagation of it, in {ach means.and manner as are moft warrantable, and likelieft by theprecept and prefi‘dent of our only wife Saviour, and his bleffed Apoftles to prove fucceffe-

full: Oh, let us not then defer the practife of it any longer ! doe we fuf‘pect that errour fhould vanquifh truth? this is fo vaine that no man will ‘confeffe fo much, but for theit full conviction if they were fo conceited, let themtake notice what St, Pas/ faith to the Corinthians, We cannot do »Cor.13any thing againf} the truth but for the truth; wemay plot, contrive and ® endeavour whatfoever our owne depraved natures will fuggeft us to a-

gainit it, but great is the power of truth, and it will prevaile atlaft; or doe wethen feare that the true profeffours may fall from their former — ftedfaftneffe? itistrue that fome which once made profeffion of the truth may fall from that profeflion, but fach.though they make profeflion of the truth, yet were they never true profeffours, as St. fobs faies in his , Joheact firft Epiftle , bey went out from us, but they were not of ws, forifthey had ~~ * ? been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, but they went out, that they might ve made manifeft, that they were not all of us: And

_ deubtleffe it weremuch to be defired , and all jultifiable meanes to be imployed, whereby hypocrites, and {ach as are not true at heart, might be beft moved to difcover themfelves of their owne accord, for then the people of God might be kept from falling into many a finthrough their illexample, and avoid many atemporall judgement and affliction for holding fellowfhip and communion with them; but bleffed be God this isthe worft that can befall them, neither divells nor the deepett wiles of ' wicked reprobates can poflibly deceivethe true Profeffours Gods Ele&. Mar.23. Our Saviour hath pafled his word , That ot one of thefe little ones shall pe~ 24

: rifo, Agat.18.4. Aad my fheep heare my voyce, and I know them, and they follow me, ard I give unto them eternall life, and they (ball never perifo,ncither {ball any man pluck them ont of my hand,fobn 10.27,28.And Panl faies, be ar? perfecnted, ba not for[aken, caft down, but not deftroyed, 2 (or. 4.9. Andh= told Timothy That the foundation of God ftandeth fure, having

this feaic, that the Lord knoweth them that are hu,2T1.2,19. But firce berefies muft needs be , though a woe betide the authonrs of Cap.1.87 them, how much more may we welithinke fhould there be a Liberty of

12 me,

Coufcience? tinéé the anthours initead ‘ woe, maybe certain of a Pa

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fing, and nething can mére maniteft the ruth, when all fuch as for feare _ofimprifoning, fining,corporall punifhment,or any worldly prerogative had heretofore made profeffion thereof, would now appear in their own colours, and follow the falfe calls of their more falfe teachers, leaving truth to herfelfe , and fuch only as did imbrace her in true fincerity of heart; and yet thisis not all the benefit which would accrue hereby, the greateft and beft part is {till behinde ; for as inthe Primitive times, when Nowe. Scribes, Pharifes, and all the learned Dottors both Jews and Gentiles,

, difputed and oppofed the truth with more liberty and freedome., it be| came then much more famous and prevailing , untill the myftery of iniquity urfdertooke the protecting of it by the Civil] Sword, whichif ie Joh.3.8, Were but fheathed againe, and the Bleffed Spirit, which bloweth where eo" it lifteth,not refitted, we might even in thefe dayes with Gods affiftance, expectto fee victorious trophees, and multitudes of Chriftians fet at liberty,and redeemed out of Babylon to the {peedier downfall of Antichrift.

Objet: But fome will fay that the learned and wifeft men have alwaies been ~ =" andare ftill of opinion, that it is no good policie to fuffer fo many feverall Religions to be publickly profefled in one andthe fame Kingdome and jurifdiction, becaufe that though many men may be able with Scripture to defend their owne Religion, and others perhaps ftedfaft and ob-

Rinate enough in their opinions what everthey be, yet if contrary tenets may be debated freely , and made profeffion of without controle, fome numbers more or leffe amongft fuch multitudes of people, either by

importunity , worldly advantages, orio that their ignorance or little knowledge in {pirituali matters , is not able to withftand the arguments which are urged againft them, muft needs be feduced aad led away from

‘Anfw.. the Religion eftablifhed by Law : Wheretol anfwer, That the advice of wife and earned men if they be otherwife alfo as well qualified , is to be far preferred before that of ignorant andlefle wife, but fuch whofe affe@tions and carnall lufts are mortified, and whofe guifts are fandtified, thefe mens counfells ought to take place before the deepeft Politicians of State,or grand Rabbies of the Law or Gofpel : worldly wifdome and humane learning are both ufefall and expedient, when they concur with Scripture, not againft it s Ie was the argument of the Jews againtt our Joh,7,48, Savieur and his Apoftles, That the Scribes, Pharifes and great ones beleeved

, not osbim; the Papiftsurgedthelike, chat allthe learned Doctors and profoundeft {chollars throughout the Chriftian world were of their opie nion againtt Lather and the firlt Reformers,and although we all acknowledge of how little account and force this argument was then, yet is it now as much {tood upon , and altogether.as weakly grounded. even by

the ereatcit part of Reformed Churches, again{t fuchasyet ftrive for; an

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and endeavour only a ‘further Reformation: furely iffach would but con fider of what low condition and mseane eftate the Apoftles were, they A&.¢. 12: would never think the worfe of truth, becanfe it was held out unto them Matth.4. by men of moft inferiour ranke and quality, this would make fuch as are 18.21, Scripture wife to thinke the better of it,for who are likelieft to have {p}ritualll things difcovered to them, then fuch as are {pirituall themfelves ? and who likelieft to be fpirituall, then fuch as are poare, bafe and abject

botbin the eyes of others and their owne opinions? Surely St. Hag/ | {peaks plaineto this purpofe when hefaies , Not many wife men after the * fort :

pel, not many mighty, not many noble are caked, But God hath chofen the * 227528.

foolifh things of the world te confound the wife, and God hath chofen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and ba/e things of the world,and things which are defpifed hath God chofen: And againe, whvre isthe wife ? where us the [cribe ? where se the dijputer of Ver,20,

the world? hath not God made foolith the wifdome of this world? Aad tothe Corinthians he gives areafon why God inade ufe of men of {uch low rapke and efteem in the world,to be the chiefeft intruments of propagating the Gofpel, when he fayes , We have tius trea/ure tp earthen vefa fels, thas the excellencie of the power may be of God, and not of #s, 2 Cor.4.7.

And in another place be faies , Chrilt {ene me to preach the Gofpel, sot with wifdome of words, left the croffe of Chrift fhould be made of none ef= fett, 1 Cor.1.17. Ifthefe paflages of Scripture with fandry others were ferioufly confidered , by aminde prepared to fubmit to sods good will. and pleafure what ever it were, when it fhould be difcovered unto him,. fuch a foule would not befwayd, amd led away with any carnall privie ledges or worldly circumftances how plaulible foever, fince all fuch are cele 2: but vaxity and vexation of fpirit , as the wife man affures us : evidence of nt +. a Scripture is that only which ought to be our guide in what we do or fay, ow fupreame rulz or touchftoneto make triail of what we heare or fee, according whereunto if we proceed, whatfoever be alledged to the con-_ trary, we may Cleerly finde, That per/ecution for mattcrs of Religion does plainly croffe (oe many places of Scripture, murders fo many of Gods Saints, and | So much hinders the propagation of the Gofpel , as no other erronions tenct or herefie whatfeever: for if the Gofpel had but.a free paffage,and the true Profeffours liberty to teach and publife it , this only as a fovercigne remedy andcounterpoyfon, world prevaile againft all berefies , unlef[e you will grant that errour may

poffibly vangys/b truth: and though our owne fond fancies fhould fuggelt never fo many incenveniences to enfue thereon,we ought to reft fatisfied with fo great a manifeftation of Gods revealed will,no wales attempting any thing,or cleaving to {uch opinions,which either directly,or by rationall confequence and induction may binder the preaching of the Gofpel

toall Nations: . I 3 I¢

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(62) _ Tf Kings or States may lawfully enact a Religion, or fettle any point ‘of faith to be beleeved and practifed by forte and virtue of anew’ law, theh ought all fubjedts to be conformabdte thereunts ,, and fo’ become ly‘ableto change and alter their Religion, fo often asthe State and chiefelt ‘Councell of the Land fhall deem juft and reqnifite ; for as our predecefNote. fours could not make a law to binde their tucceffours irrevocably, ot ‘longer then they pleafed themfelves in civil] matters, much leffe in what

concen ne Confcience;fo canmay we that areatnow living with engage our pofterity inany at, but neither what they cepeal pleafure, the fame liber:y and power by whichit was made, fince the whole King dome being a body politicke indowed witha fupremacie , cannot have. greater or leffe power over it felfe at one time then another ;- wherefore {ince it is our duty to think very reverently of Laws and Acts when once e{tablifhed by the highe(t Court, yetif we confider that they.themfelves

} doe not affume infallibility , that both they, Synods, and chiefe Generall Councells have thought it expedient and juft to repeal, alter, and fometimes enact Laws, concerning Difeipline and Doctrine quite contrary to their predeceffours, ty which means a people in their life time have been compelled to change Religiontwice or thrice ; my humbleft defires beg Jeaveto proftrate themfelves in meekneffe and moft fubmiflive manner unto the three eftatesin Parliament , That ali former acts which countenance perfecution for matters of Religion may be repealed, and Liberty of Confcience which is the greateft liberty the Gofpel brings, reftored , left whileft the prevailing party of Proteffants in England think it lawfull to force other Proteftants, becaufe lefle in number , and differing from them in opinion, to change Religion; God in juftice permit Papifts to. doe the like with Proteffaxts in Ireland, as well for our fins as their owne, | to the further defolation of both Kingdomies.. -.

Ee ee a manana mae er abeannetteed enn enenmemmmnemnmns teaaiaiaanaad '

JOHN LILBURNE A COPIE OF A LETTER TO MR. WILLIAM PRINNE ESQ.

1045 A Copie of a Letter appeared in 1645, without separate title-page, license or imprint. Lilburne’s name appears at the end with the date, January 7, 1645. On the first page of his copy, now in the British Museum, Thomason wrote “Jan: 15 1644 [1645] London.” The typography suggests that the work was printed by Richard Overton or someone associated with him (see Volume I, pages 76 ff.). The text is here reproduced from the copy of the original edition in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum.

BLANK PAGE

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gesecsseqeeese eoencgsesseeeeese

SusSesRsEsRsEsse fui be A COPIE . St £ud on: : WT, OF Ay

eh

Written by Fobn Lilburne Leut. Collonell. To Mr. Wiliam Prinne EQ.

(UPON THE COMING OUT OF HIS LAST BOOKE, INsieuled Trath trinmpbing over Falflbood, Antiquity ver Novelty) In which he laies down five Propofitions, which he defires to difcufle with the faid Mr. Prinwe.

Sir, O'U and Ehave both been Safferers, by the hands of the. Prelates, the comnon and open Enemies of Chrifte Kingdome ; and the eyes of the people of God are therefore the

more upon us, and are fubjef with leffe jealoufie to ree ceive thofe things that come tromus for truth, not immitating the noble Bereans,who dayly fearched the Scripture, to fee whether thofe

things they heard, were according thereunto or no, 4és 17. 11. the Law and the Tcftimony of Chrift being the freight Rule, by which we are to walke efpeacially in matters of worfhip, and whofoever he be that practices and ipeakes nat accerding to this Rule, it is becaufe thers is no bight of trib im bim,E)/2.8,20. 1 have fon fome os your late srri=

A S325,

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(2) thigs, Which a lictlediving-into, T have toumd them fall ch bitter and Oniavoury Language aeain't the poore Saints of Cod , ant che an{potted wais of Jeius Chrit, and find'n + yaa Cont: deace very eveat bur you. Avpuments vea'y weakeandunt ua Raving reccived a Tas tent trom the Lord, I conceived my .¢:f: baad in Con:cienct co ime ploy ic, and lay ic oue for my Ma ters beit advancige) ant f was dee termined fome weekes fince, co have writ you a tew jénes in a pubLigue Way; and to have told yOu, you ere rot Ruairi the S-r-pturer.

Math.22. 29. (but being that you, and the BY! seke-Cizte? in the Synod, have not dealt fairly wich your Antagont!s in {topping the: Preffe againft us, while things are in debate, yea robbing us of our Libersy (as we are Subjcéts) in cime ot freedom, when thé P.-bin ment is ficsing, who are fuffictontly ableto pumifh chae man (whatGoever he be) that fhall aberfe his penae.. So chacwhill we are wich the hazard of our dearef lives, fighting for the Sechjec%s Liberty, we

are brought into Ezfprisn bonds in this and other partilalars, by the Blacke-Costes, whol am affraid, will prove. move ecuell Task.

: mofters then their dear fachere the Biflops: who Cowardly fis at home, in my apprehenfion, for no other end but co breed fadtion. and divifion amongft the well affefted .20 elie P.wliancnt, pronw-

ting thereby their owae intereft, which. is Lsziner, Pride, Cowetoufnes and Domsation, endevouring to lay lower chen the dutt _agoneration of men whom they fal(cly call Sefearyes, that have in the uprightnelle of their bearés widhouc S)sdisnlike ends, ventred all chey have in the world for the good of the P.rlisment, andthe Commion-wealda of England, and who may bid’ dehance to all whelr

Adverfaries that brand them with unfaichfulnes. fo that by means of which, I hane ace been able that way yet, to accomplifh my earneft defire: and truly ic argues ao manhood nor valour in you nor the Blecke-Costes, by force to throwus downe and ty ouw hands, 8 then to fall upon us co beat and buffer us, forit you had noe beene mien that had been affraid of your caufe, you would have been wilHag 00 have foughe and contanded with us uponeven ground and eqnall termes, namely chat the Prefle might be as open for us as for you, andas ic was at the beginning of this Parliament , which I conceive the Purliamens did of purpofe, thatfo ghe trecborne Englife gS

| LSE, |

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Sabiects might enjoy their Liberty and Priviledge, which the Bith: ops had kearncd of the SpanSf> Inquifition to ro then Of, by locking éc up under she Key ef an Inrpimater, in wncts tyrannical ttops che Synod treades,{o that youand chey shinke you may raile at us cus prrvilegicyand ranke we amongst the wort and bufeit of men, a6 rooteis up of Parliamenssand diiurbers of Ssates and Conumon welebes,

and fo thinke to carry isaway without cantroule, busic may be you wil ge miitaken, for though wee cannot print fo fa@ as you, we can {cake and lay downe as {trong Argnments tor eur felves, as you can for your felves, and therefore being defirous to try a fall with you, thouzh’ one of yotr freinds not long finee told me, rhure was as great difproportion betwixt y:te and me, to write wpon comtroverting the things of God, aa thereis betwixt a tall Ceder and a litle forub: un~

wwhich I replyed, gov you, and tell the tall Cedery the litle Shrab sail basze about withbim: And therefore, that [ may be aa good as

my word, I-fend you thef& enfiing Propofitions, upon which I will dafpuro widy you, hand to hand before any Auditory in and about ehe Civy of London when awd where you will chufs, giving nic foure or five dayes warming beture hand,

Firit, Tat the Ordmances, Lawes, Rights and Ceremonies of the Charch of the ewes were types auc figures, which were only ro baft and endure till the coming of Chrift, which be by bis death did abolifh, Gen.

49.10. Fobn 19.30. ABs 15.24.29. & 21.21:38. Heb.7 10:12. G10. 1. and be bimf{elfe with bis Inftitwtions im the NewTeftament are the

Antitypes of them, Ads 3.22. Heb.1.8. a 6.20. & 7.17.18.19. & 8.5 2.6. GP OTL.12.

Secondly, Ther Fens Chri& being appoynted by God bis Father t0 ba

Mediates, hath a Kingdome given ratio bim, Dun. 2. 13.14. Mat. 2.2 (> 23.18. Leake 1.32.33. Het .8. whicb be bath erected, and fer vp in thevarl’, eniitht bis State, woore ciftoly and pici taal he gevernethy

A 2 the

r'cth and daclleth , Pish 2. 6. 22. 27. 28: and 46. 4: and

adtgdo G@ 122 131s. 4.6.9 ~- 233.23. and xcordiag to har wuft

[184] C4) the Father. bath .repofed in him. Adés 3. 22. 23. he hath been faithfell to every shing-requced of bim, Heb.3.25. compared with Exod. 29.43. and unto this bis vifible Kingdome Ly bis laft Will and Teft.ment be hsb bequesthed perfect aud compleate Lawes, which are unalterable and unchangsble,ia.all-times,ages and places by any of the fonnes of mer, AGEs 1.3. 2Thef2.15, 1 Tim. 6:13.1 4.20. 2Tim 3.15.16.17. Heb. 10.28.

29-8 12°25. — |

Thirdly, that the matter, forme, L uves, War (hip, Ordinances snd Adminiftrations of this Kingdome are not carns!!, nor of thir world, but all

andevery one of them piritus[l, Fobr.4.22.23. & 18.36. AE1.15.6

2.53.47: Or 2.23.24. Roa... 1Cur..2. & ch.§: 2Cor.2.6.9.8. Fourthly, that no Parliament, Councell, Synod, E-nperou-, King, nor Majeftrate hath any fpiritusll Authrity, or jurisdiction over this Kinga dime, or the Subjedts thereof, Mat. 20.25.27. 1Car.4.5. Fpbe!1.24.22 23. and 5.24.25. Col.4.17- 1Pet.6.5.3. Rsv.17.1 7. Fiftly, thst te perfectte for confcience is not of nvr from Gad, but of ‘and fram the Divell, and Antichrifty Efs.2.3-4¢O 11. 6: 7:9. ALicab 4. 2.3. Luke 9-54-55 2Cor. 10.4. 1Tim.1.20. Rev.13.2-4615. 16.17.

Sir, In your lat Booke that-you put out, you {pend a great deafe of paines in citing old rutly Authours, co prove that Kings, Gouncels, Syneds and Scates have fur {omany hundred yearcs medled wich

maticrs of Religion, I grant you they have 5 buc f demaund of yon, by what Righr, or by what Auhovity oucof the Wont of God they

Have & done ? Hath God the Father, cr Je us Chrit his Son gi-wénshem any allowance in thi? Or have they noe hereby cathor failtilled the Perophefies of che Scripture, whichfaich, ( Kev. 17.17.) that the Kings of the Earth (bi yize their power syxto the Beaft, till the Word of Gad be fulfilled, which they have done ia afhiiting che Pope,

to joyne the Ecc'efisfficalland Civill State cogcther, making che golden Lawes of Chri, to depend upon the lead :n Lawes of man; yea,

pon fuchLawes, as ras juit furable co their tyrannical luits, and which might the molt advance their wicked eaxds and defignes, and in the doing of chis, they have fec up a perfe& Antichrift againit Cotls

, | Clersia Chirtt: yea, England is not fre: trom this ; for though King Hen-

ry the eight did thake of the P upes Sitdeent rey, yet by the adviec of the

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Clergse, the fivorne enemies Of Jelis Chrift, he affumed the fame, calling himpfelte Head in all caufts Ecclefiefixall and Civill, and fo.

though he jufled cuc the Pope, he fet himfelfe in the Throne of Chrit, and his Succeffours have done the fame, for oppofing of which, the Saints that were burnt in Queen AZaries dayes have not only {marted, bur alio chofe that were hanged and murdered in Prifons in Queen Elizebeths dayes, and thofe thac were banifhed and deitroyed in King Fmes his dayes, and my felfe arid many others, thas have fuffvred worfe then death in King Cb.ries his dayes, and

this is the great Contrverlie, that God contends with ths whole Fareh tor, and for which God will make the greateit ot Princes and States to taft.2 Cup of trembling, yea, and to drinke the dregs of bis fisry and wrath , for he will give people and Nations tor his Saints, Ef.

43.3-4.14. And it England drinke yet deeper of this Cup, amongtt other cauks, they may chanke Mr. Prinze for ttwho hath incited them co wage war wich the King of Saints, ( and his redeemed oncs }) who will dafb all the Nations of'the Earth in peeces iw being revenged of

them, tor that which thepbove done unto then already in this particular, Rev.18.ch.8¢ 19.1.2. For Sir, let me tell you, it is the incommunicable Prerogative uf Jefus Chrift alone to be King of his Saints, and Law-giver co his Church and people, and ro raigne in the foules and con{ciences ot his chrofen ones, it being coo high a throne for al}

the orcatires in the world to raignein . and therefore, were your eyesbut open, it wauld make you quake and tremble, to contider what you havedane, in endeavouring to fee the Potentates of the Earth togerher by ehe eares wich Chrift( who is to rule all Nations, Rev.12°§.) to phucke his Crowne frombhis head, his Scepter ous of his hand, and his Perfon out of his Throne of State, that his Facher hath given hins to raizne glortoufly ia. Oh Sir! confider che time is not long, before Jefus Chritt will come againe in glory tryumphantly, and fay icout of hisown mouth

19.47. ,

before the cyes of the formes of men, bring sbole mine enemies before mie, thativill not bave me to rule over them, that F-msy flay them, Lake

Sir, If your Pofitions be true, th ot ibere is no rule left in the world, bey ave may worfbip God, bus that Kings and States may fet up whe

, A 3 Religion

[186] | a (6)

Rotietae they Mleafe, or may modld iste the maners of their people ;., | itt Queen diary did: jultitably in barning che Saints in her dayes

that wonld not ftoope and fubmitto thac Religion the aad her Pare fiament had fecup: Truly, had I not feen your name to your Bookes,.

} thowd rather have judgéd-ehent 4 Papilts or a Jefuites then Mr. rims, and withoie doubs. che Poge-when he fees chem will Canno-

nize you foc a Saint, for throwing’ déwne his eremie-Chritt, who it fay, hath been Ieffe faichfull then AM /er, and io had need of Ee Pope, or fome others to fupply what he hath been deficient én ; Surely you have givenawayyour ¢.ars,& fuffored as a butie.body in op-

poting the Kingand the Prelates; without all doubr,. all isnot gold thar clitters; tor wére yeu not a man, that had more then truth to looke after, namely your owne ends and particular inverelt, whieh I am aftraid you ttrive more to fet up then a publike good, you fhou'd rather importuned the Parliamene, to have continued their favours aad reipects co that people, that cannot prottrate their consciences ‘te sians devifescthcugh sever fo great and famous; ( and who yet . ‘with their badies and eitates to ehe samoft of their power, yea and dlive:s Uf chem beyond their abilities.) have done she Partianient as finceares ap-iebt, faictrfull and good fervice as cither your felte or any gencration ot men in England whatloever they be ) then to ea-

force therm co deftroy them: But truly the Son of Ged, and his Caisit’s ( chow beloved Vewels of his ) are buts litle beholden to you, that wil nox fufter bis ran:omfed ones to enjoy the Liberty of theie Confeience to ferve their Lord and Ring, that hath boughe them with his owne blood , { are younotin'thie as crudd a Taskensficr a6 Pht-

v2 hf | nor to have fooring in the Land of their Nativiey, cheagh Chrut h’aueite beth sivea chem a true ight 6 all ebings prefentin this world, and all things in that is ¢o come, Cor. 2.21. 22. 23. and they rhemfelves ( many thonfand of them) have endeavoured mere thee vour felfe to redeem their native Countrey from bondage and (very with their dearc? blood ; And cheretore I fay, the Lord judre beawix: you ard us in chis partiadar. Siry Te may be tyitead ofiacisfying my defire, yur’lf run and complaine ce the Parliament: and prefle them upon their Covenant to

take 'Vergurice upon me, ii you duc I weig'rit noe; for { bleffo am ro

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(7) Tam fied to doe, or firfler whatfoevor che Parliament fall impofe upon me, but if you do, cake thale ewo along with you. | Fir, That I am not againft the Pariiamenes fersine up a SateeGu- vearnment for uch 2 Chisrch as they foa!l thinks fit, to make the gererality of the Land members of, for L for my part leave them to roen'elves, to dive what they (hall thinke good, J th et they leave ny Confcicn.e free te

to the Law and Will of my Lord and King. : Socondly, I you pus them in mindef sheis Covensnt, tell them, I thinke they bave faverne to reot out all Popery, and .berefire bave lately arolifved zhe Common Prayer ( thse grees Idi!) bur yer have eftablifbed Fythes, crc. the veryroat and fupport of popery, which I humbly conceive, is ei-

tradition te shir Covenant, and which wilbe 2 grester fnaire then the Common Prayer to mesny of the pretions conferences of Gods people, wh fe duty is in my jadgementy to dye in a prijon before shey att or fisop

easto fo difbonourable « thing as thisis to the Lord and Mafter, as te m.sint sine the Blaclee-coates with Tyches, whem they looke upon as the profefjed enerties of their Aunoynted Clarift, be that pays Tytbes, is bound to the whale L ww of Tythes, an which shove was a Lambe to be brought for a Sin-olfcring, which is sbolifeed ; alfo be tha: was to take Tysber, was one thas was to offer fasrifice d.syly for fin, which if any do fo nw bt is to deny Chrift come in the flefb, and to be the alone fatrifice fr fis by bis

death, and fa everthravw all our comfort, jry and bope, So defwing ea receive your Anfwer to the things I propound to you, I refit

LOND ON, 164.this 7

¥ 1O44 Tours more then yeu are the Truthes

JOHN LILBURNE

FINIS.

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[WILLIAM WALWYN] A HELPE TO THE RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF A DISCOURSE CONCERNING INDEPENDENCY

1645 A Helpe to the right understanding of a Discourse concerning Independency appeared anonymously, without license or imprint, in 1645. On the title-page of his copy, now in the British Museum, Thomason added “Feb: 6th London.” The title probably refers to William Prynne’s Independency Examined (Septem-

ber 26), 1644, though the author also deals in some detail with Prynne’s Truth Triumphing (January 2), 1645. For evidence of Walwyn’'s authorship, see Appendix A. The text is here reproduced from the copy of the original edition in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum.

BLANK PAGE

[ror] | PRS Sea SE NAS BAER NANT SAN LS LES

; - AHelpeto the rightunderftanding of a 2

‘DISCOURSE, kc CONCERNING :

INDEPENDENCY. 5 @ Lately publifhed by 3 iG WILLIAM PRYX 5

eo OF | ee | Lincolnes Inne, Efquire. ¥

3 PROV. i260 13. G The evill man 18 fnared by the wickedueffe of bis lips B but the ju man fball come ont of adverfity.

Le ntorn-

‘ 16 4 4s 5 K fet; © prinied Anno Dom.

WORRACLRIORIEL LOR DOR RL

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A helpe to theright underftanding of a Difcourfe conceining [npepENDENcy, &c. . Sitisa very great benefit to the world when wife and confiderate : men, fuffer fur maintenance of a jult caus : fo a'fo ut picveth oftentimes very prejudiciallto a Nation, whenrsth inconfiderate men, wife only in their owne {trong conceits, doe fuffer,thouga for a canfe as juft as common freedome it felfe : becanfe fuffering winn th reputation to the perfon that fuffcreth, whereby his fayings, opinions, ard writings carry

authority with them : and thoughnever fo much blended wish fligbtnefle, arrogance, impurity, violence, error, and want of charity : yct make they deep impreffion inthe minds of many well meaning peopie , and (way them

to the like, ordiflike of things : not as they are really good , cr palpably evill in themfelves,but according to the gloffe,or dirt, that fuch men through ignorance, impatience, or malice caft upon them.

For inftance whereof, I am fomewhnt troubled that I muft alledge Mr. Wilias Pryn, who to his great commendation in the late arbitrary times {affered for the maintenance of the juft liberties of his Country: but ina great example of late it istoo fadly proved that he that did the greateft fervice, may Jive to doe the greateft mifchiefe : and I am fully inftruéted. That only perfeverance in well-doing, is praifce-worcny ; and therefore I conceive I may without breach of charity, be as bold with him as with any other man whatfoever ; that others may tearne by me to refpect good men no longer then they

continue fo. | Of Sate he is fallen upon fo unhappy a fubje& (The difference of judge-~

ment in matters of Religion ) and hath fo totally engaged himfelfe therein, that even men who have formerly had him in great repute for integrity , be-

gintodeubt hisends; fuppofing that he {trikesin with the rifing party in hope toraife himfelfe with them, and bythem; and that he is carried away with thatinfirmity unto which men of his tribe have been much fubdfect.

Others there are that conceive heis defective only in bis underftanding, and cally out-witted, andendeavours wrought toindoe whichof heChurch intended not to do, charitably hoping by his thethat, argument government, that he really intended the reconciling of all parties,and that he hath nnhappily wrought a contrary effet, and made the divifion greater , through his want of Judgement, and naturally paffionate weaknefle : irconfiderately engaping, and (being engaged) and profecuting with violence : and they

argue itto be fo, from his publifhing Romes mafter-piece; andthe Archbifhops Diary; intending, no doubt, toblazonthe vileneffe of that Arch Incendiary to the world ; whereas to an advifed Reader,ic will be evident.: hat

the firft is framed of purpofeto lay the defipneof allour troubles upon the Papifts; and makethe Archbifhop fuch an enemy tiereunto, as that hey

2 says?

plotted to take away his life; as if Satan were divided againft Satan; and his

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Diary is fo fubtilly contrived , as that among thofe from whom he expe@ett. honour, it cannot fa:le to worke moft powerfully thereunto, {o great are his good workes therein expreficd, fo large ave his pious intentions, fo war hfull over his wayes, fo feldome cffending, fo penitent after offences, fo devout in prayer, fo learned and patheticall in his expreflions ; that to any that are Fut eainted with the lea(t Prelatica:l fuperftition, he will appearea Sain , if noc equall to Noah, Lot and Davéd, yet full parallc] with the mof holy Primitive Fathers; efpecially when they fhall confider thac chefe his works were publie fhed by his greareft enemy, which was the Archbifhops Mafter-jiece indeed, being both written of purpofe to be publifhedin their beft feafen , and dy a perfon that fhould moft advantage the deceit : if it had not dee:: fo, they had

eafily been fiend or concealed, paft his finding : nomancanchinke the Bifhop fo impolitick, as after fo long imprifonment , not to be warned con€¢r ning his notes. Ochers judge him to be much of the Archbifhops fpirit, his late adverfary, and feare thatif he had equall power to that heonce had, he would exceed him in crueley of perfecution ; and their reafon is, becaufe he is fo violently bufic.already, egging and inciting the Parliament, like them evill Genius, to acts of tyranny again{t 2 people he knows innocent: how muck more would he rage againft them had he that command of cenfure, fine, pillory, imprifonment and banifhment, which the Archbifhop unjafly ufurped ; efpecially finee his rage again{t them has fo exceeded all bounds of modefty already , as eo afhisme that thet writings arcdefra five tathe very being of Parliaments, and as bad or wor{e then tie Popi(h Gunpowder- plot, and to tearme their honeft and {ubmiffe demeanours, Infolencies umparadeld publicke violations and smpeachments of the rights and priviledges of Parliament , and of the tranguslity and fafet 9 of onr

Charch and Stare, I am atf{tand Methinks, and cannot but grieve within my felfe to confider how fuil {wolne with bitter malice , yeaand the very poyfon of Afpes, that brea muft needs be from whence proceeds fuch malevolent and {candalous fpeeches, yet fo groffely untrue and unfutable to the {pisits of che Independents. Men likewife fay that this muft needs proceed from fpleene: for if he were a really confcientious man he would firft pull the beame out of hisowne ye; as he isa Lawyer, and examine his owne wayes In the courfe of his pra@tife, or fet out fomeching to fet owt the unlawfulneffe of tythes , as learned Mr. Selden bathdone. Mr. Pry profeffeth the true Chriftian Religion, and chat moft zealonfly , yet continueth totake fees for pleading mens canfes, athing that the vertuous men amongit the very heathens accounted dafe.and would doe it gratis: and what fees taketh he? no Ieffe thentreble the vaine of whae istaken by pleaders in Popifh Countries; bur he taketh as little as any man of his calling, and no more but what is lawful for himto take : therein, fay they, confiftsthe mifery ofthe Common-wealth, with all other the exereame abaics of our Laws, the very way of the ending of controverfies, being fu t2tally pernicious and fullof vexation : that were he truly eon{cientious for the good of the whole Nation, as he pretendeth, he would have laid opentc the Parliament, how improoer it isthat our Laws fhould be writen.in an uuknowne .

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knowne ianguage, that a plaine man cannot underftand fo muchasa VWrit without the helpe of Ceuncel!; bow prejudicial it is that for ending a contoverfie, men muft travell Terme after Terme trom all quarters of che Land te London, tiring their perfons and fpirits, wafting their eftates, and beegering

their families ; tending to nothing but the vexation of the peopic , and enriching of Lawyers; witha little labour had he been {fo vertuoufly difpofed, he could have difcovered the corrupt originall thereof , and have layed open all the abfurdities therein , and fhewed the difagreement thereof tothe rules of Chriftianiey : he could alfe have fhewed to the Parliament what of our

Lawes themfelves are unneceffary, what are prejudiciall to good men, and have moved for reducing allto an agreement with Chriftianity : were he (fay they) truly pious, and could deny himfelfe, this he would have done,

though he had thereby made himfelfe equallte menoft low degree , both in eftate, food, andrayment : yea though for his livelihood hee had beene conftrained to have laboured with his bands, &c. This indeed had beene

3 proper worke for him a Chriftian Lawyer in a time of Reformation: What needed he to have meddled againft the Independent and Separation ,

there being fe many learned Divines (as hee himfelfe efteemes them) Gitting in Councell fo neare the Parliament, which fhewes him tobee tea officious ?

And as concerning ChurcheGovernment : If hee had really inten ded the good of the Nation, and the wealc uf all pcavcable minded men,

he would have had in minde {uch confiderations as thefe.

The Parliament are now upen fetling the affaires of the Church, a thing

of a very nice and dainty nature, efpecially being undertaken ina time of ahomebred Warre : Ifit benot very advifedly and cautioufly done, it may foone divide the wel-affected party withinit felfe, then which noe thing can be more pernitiousand deftructive = already I have feene fome that have laid downe Armes, and many withdraw their perfons and efates into forreigne parts, for nmoother caufe but for being difturbed or difcouraged in exercifing of their confciences in matters of Religion : And it was but thus in the Prelaticalltime. Ifindeby my felfe, that Chriftians cannot live, though they fhould enfoy all maturall freedome and content. where

they are not free to worfhip God ina way of Religion : And I finde alfo : by my felfe that Chriftians cannot worfhip God in any way but what agreeth with their underftandings and confciences; and although! may be at liberty to worfhip God accerding to that way which the Parliament fhall fet up for a generall rule to the whole Nation; yet if I were not per{waded that I might lawfully fubmit thereunto , all the torments ia the World fhould not enforce mee : and thisI finde tobeethe cafe of many confcientious people, very well affe&ed to the Parliament and to common freedome : Men that bave {pent their eftatés, and hazarded their lives as freely in defence of jult Governmeat, as any men whattoever ;

2 mo

and whether they are under the names of Anabaptiits, Brownifls, Sepagation, Independents, or Antinomics wee have had all theig

Lro6]

| © 9 ee |

inoft affectionate helpe in throwing down Epifcopacy and arbitrary goversment : meathey are that {til remiaine in mol oppofition co the Popith and malignant parties, fomewh2t we mult dee for the eafe of thc fe our bretaren, jr mutt not be in the fettiement of ouc Refermanonthat they remaineunder — che fame reftraint or moleftation for their coniciences aSthey Were in the

Prelaticalltime; wemult doe as we would ce done unto : ifady fort of them were ercater in numberthen we, and had auchority to Countenance chim, we fhould efteem it hard meafure, to be refrained from exe cifng our Religion according to our confciences, oi to be compelled by tines, imprifonments, or other punifhments, to worfhip contrary te our Coniciences,we mutt beare with one anothers infirmities ; no condition of men in otr dayes have an infallibility of judgement : every one ought tobe fully perfwaded in his owne miade of the lawfulneffe of the way wherein he ferveth God ; if one man obferve a day to the Lord, and others not ; and both out of confcience to God, both are allowed by the Apoftles and the one is not to moleft, no not to delpife or condemne, Rom.14.v.3. much leffe compell the other to his judgement, becaufe whatfoever is not of faith or full aflurance of minde is fin: had Mr. Pryn debated thus with himfelfe,he had fhewed himfelfe a true Di ciple of Chrift and his Apoftle : differing opinions would not then have ape

peared fuchabominable, damnable things inhis fight : The dealing of our Saviour with thofe moft erronious Sadduces, would have come into his mind, they beleéved that there was neither Angell nor Spirit, and that there was no refarrection: Upluiuus as cuntrary to the current of the then Interpreters, ag any in our tine, aod yet they profeffed it openly , as appeareth by their attempting our Saviour, and were as unreproved of himas of authority ; he refolves their queftion by an anfwer which removed that abfurdity which they

thought impoflible : briefly tellingthem, That they neither marry nor are married , batas the Angels of God in heaven ; ufing them gently, withour threats or reproaches. If Mr. Pry had thought of this Subject, with fuch like confiderations, he would foone have feen, That the people of a Nation inchufing of a Parliament cannot confer more then that power which was juftly in them/elves: the plain rule bee ing this : That which aman may not voluntarily binde himfelfe to doe, er to forbear to doe, without finne: That be cannotentrujt or refer unto the ordering of any other:

Wratoever (be it Parliansent, General ( ouncels, or Nationall Affemblies: ) But all things concerning the worftip and fervice of God, and of that nature ; thatamas cannot without wilful [in , exther binde bimfelfe to doe any thing therein contrary to his under ftanding andcon/cience : nor so forbeare to doe that which bis under [? an.ung and con{cience bindes hins te performe : therefore no man can refer matters of Religte ontoany others regulation, And what cannot be giuen, cannot be r:ceived: and then as aparticular man caxnet be robbed of that which he wever had s fonecither tis a Parliament, or any other juft Authority be violatedin, or deprived of a power which

Saunet beentrufted ante thim., | That Empcromrs, and Kings, and Popes, have affumed an abfolute power over Nations in matters of Religion , need not to have beene {o Jaborioufly proved; nor that Councels and Parliaments have done the like : the matter

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is what they have done oftight: who knowes not that all thefe have erred as often as they did fo = onr prefent Parliament have greater light then any former , and propofe to themfelves te abandon what ever former Parlamen.s have either affumed, ordone upon mif-information; and have not yet declared themfelves to diffent from the fore recited rule : andthen Mr. Prya may confider , whether he hath not extreamly mifpent his time, and with much uncharitableneffe injured that faithfull fervant of God , and fincere lover of fis Country, Mr.jobs Goodwins man that to my knowledge,and to the knewledge of many, values neither life nor livelihood, could he therewith, or with loft thereof, purchafe a peaceableliberty to his Country, or a juft Parliamentary government ; fo far ts he, or that other worthy man Mr. Bertex ; or any

Independent, Anabaptit, Brownift, or any of the Separationnow extant, from deferving either thofe flight , but arrogant expreflions of his in his faid Epiftie , telling the honourable Parliament , That he knows not what evill Genius, and Pithzgorian Metempfychofis, the Antiparliamentary foules for-

merly dwelling in our defunct Prelats earthly Tabernacles, are tranfmigrated into, and revived into 3 new generation of men ({tarted up of late amongft us) commonly knowne by the name of Independents : fuch bumbaft inckhorne tearmes, favouring fo much of a meer pedanticke, as ill befeemeth his relation to that {apream power of Parliament: And thogh thofeIndependents, for the moft part are fuch by his owne acknowledgement , whofe affections and actions have demonftrated them to be reall and cordiatlto the Parliament and Church of England, fur which (faith he) and for their piety they are to be highly honoured, yet hath not he fo much charity asto thew any inclination that they fhould be relieved in their juft defire of Chriftian liberty; but profecutes all thofe their feverall judgetnents, asderegatory and de{tractive unto Parlizment.and Church intheir Anarchicall and Aotiparlia-

mentary pofitions ; for wich, and for their late gathering of Irdependent Churches, contrary to Parliamentary injunctions (which were never feen) they are he fayes, to be jultly blamed as great Diturbers cf our publicke peace and unity : thefe his great words make a great no!!*, I confefle aman that did not converfe amonsit thefe peopl+, may eafily be induced to believe themto’ be very dangerous. Mr. Pryw is of great credit with many in authority, and how tar he hath therein done them wrong, his owne con{ci-

ence will one day tell him to his ccft. |

If Mr. Pryx were a ftranger to the Separation , and unacquainted with the innocency of their wayesand intentions , I might charitably judge him to plead for the perfecution of Gods people ignorantly,as St. Pam/ did : but fince he cannot but know that ¢bey are both in affe@tion and action reall and cordiall to the Parliament, as himfelfe confefles, and hath found them fer his owne particular compaffionate in his fcff.rings, and liberally affiftantto him

inhis ‘miferies: I profefle,].can make no other conftruion of his fo violent pleading for perfecution , and incenfing the Parliament againft a People he —knowes harmleffe, and modcft ard reafonable in cheir defires whofe u*moft

end is only not tobe molefted in their ferving of God: I can make no other conftrnction of it, I fay, that engagement tothe Divines, and fome intereft©

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et his owne hath begot a hardnefic over his heart, ahd clouded that noble Courage, and common fpirit which dic poflefle him. If he wanted informas tion, [ would labour with bim, burfince J cannot doubt but that he hath fufiicient of that, I willleave him tilk the truth and excellency of that trecdome acain(t whichhe fights, till the dincerity and uprightneffe of the Separation which he delivers upto the {word , in thefe words, Jmsmedscadsle vainas cnfe recidendum eff, make him one day appeare evento his prefear admirers, the man he is indeed.

Inthe meanetime, I turneto the people, and defire them to erquire after the Separation, and bave full kno Wledge of them : they wid then finde they are extreamly mifunderftood dy autbority,and all othe:s that apprehend

them tobe any otherthena quiet harmlefle people, no way 2angerons or troublefome to bumane fociety : I have found thein te be an .ityzaious en= quiring people, and charitable beth iu their cemfures of others , and due re-

gardtothe poore. Iambecome their advocate, out of no engagement or re!ationto them, I profeffe, more then what my knowledge of theic fincerie ty and crue affection to their Coantry hath begotten in a. Mr. Goedwin, I need not {peak much of, he is 2 man fo well knowne, that Mr. Pryns fo rigid urging of bis expreffions upon him, as he bath too largely and fplecaifhly done in his Epiftle , making fo unfavoury and utterly difproportioned comparifons betwixt him, and the malignant Prelats, and Anti-

Parliamentary » thataman ;that the antipathy beeweene them cannot butCavaliers {tand amazedthercat and knows nceeflarily conclude that fomething hath blinded not only the light of Mr. Pryxs confcience, but of his un= derftsnding alfo, and then after a moftunchriftian application , his fentence is in thefe difmall old Antichriltian and Prelaticall tearms; ifthey will notbe reclaimed, fiat jufitia, better fome fhould fuffer then all perifh : but happy it is, that the power of Parliament isnot in Mc. “Pryn : ifit were (in the minde he is now in) ’tis much to be doubted, his pare would differ little from Bone mers Or Gardiner: in Queen IAfaries dayes : but bleffed God, is otherwifes nor will that juftAuthority prefume be moved eitherbewith hisit fierce excla-

mations, or incomparable flatteries to doe any thing contrary to right reafon and¢rae Chriftisnity : nor is there indeed (the fore mentioned rule holding) any caufe why that fupreme Authority fhould be offended: for all forts of Independents, whether Anabaptilts or Brownifts, or Antinomians , or any other doe all agree, that in all Civill and Military caufes and affaires, they have an abfolute fupreme power s And if they fhall conceive it jut and neceffary forthe State tc propofe one way of worfhip for a generall rule throughout the Land, and fhall ingratiate the fame by an exemption from all offence and {candall of weake con{ciences as far asis poffible; The InJependents, Sc. have nothing to oppofc againft their wifdomes : and if the publicke way fhould be fuch as fhould agree with any of their judgements and confciences, they would molt readily joyne in fellowhhip therein : but if their jJudgementstand confciences should not be fully fatisfied concerning the {ame,then Whatfoever is not of faith is finne;and they cannot but disjoyne : and in fuch

| indeed,

acafe, allsood menthat know them wi thew thenvelves true Chriftians

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indeed, in becotnming humble futersto the Parliament, that as for convenie-.ce to the State they propofe one generall pudlicke way : fo forthe eafe of tendet confciences, and for avoyding of finne either in compelling of worfhip contrary to confcience, or in reftraint of confciencious worthip ; they

would be pleafed to allow unto all men (that through diffrence of judges ment could not foyne with the pudlicke congregations ) the free and undifturbed exercife of their con{ciences in private congregations, And if they fhould be pleafed fo to doe; it is but what is agreeable to common equity and true Chriftian liberty ; It hath beene the wifdome of all judicious Patriotsto frame fuch laws and government as all peaceable wel! minded people might delight tolive under ; binding from all things palpably vitious by the greateft punifhments, and propofing of rewards and incouragements to all puslicke vertue ¢ but in things wherein every main ought to be fully perfwaded in his particular minde of the lawfulneffe or unlawfulneffe

thereof; thereto leave every man tothe guidance of hisowne judgement ; and where this rule is obferved, there all things flourifh, for thither will refort "all forts of ingenious free borne minds : fuch Commonwealthsabound with

all things either neceffary or delightfull, and which isthe chiefe {upport of all: fucha government aboundeth with wife men, and with the generall affections of the people : for where the government equally refpecteth the good and peace of all forts of virtuous men, without refpect of their different Jadge.nents in matters of Religion: there all forts of judgements cannot but love the government, and efteem nothing coo pretious to fpendia defence thereof. Who can live where he hath not the freedome of his minde , and exercife of his confciencc? jooke upon thofe Governments that deny this liverty, and ovferve she envyinegs and repinings that are amongitthem, and how can it be otherwife, when as if aman advance in knowledge avove what the State allowcth , he can no longer live freely , or without difturbance exercife his

cenfcience ? what followsthen? why he takes hiseltate, and trade , and family, andremoves where he may frecly enjoy his minde, and exercife his confcience : andas this hath been the fad condition of this Nation to its extceame Ic fle divers wayes : fo Mr. Pry» would have it continued for ought by bis writings can hee difcovered ; nor is he any whit troubled in {pirit to fee at this day of Juoile, and of Reforaation unto all juft liberty : thoufands of Welleaff:Aed per fons at the: wits end, not Knowing where to fet their foot, for want of enccurasement in the caule of confcience.

Ibut, fayes Mr. Pryn, our Covenant bindes usto maintaine an abfolute Ecclefiaftick power in the Parliament : it bindesusto maintaine their une doubted rights, power, priviledges: bute Mr. Pry” mult ever beare in minde, that what the people cannot entruft that they cannot have; which will anfwer all objections of that nature. AS for our Brethren of Scotland: there is no doudt, bue they are fad obfere

vers of allthe diftempers and mifunderftandings that are amongftus, and would be moft clad that the wifdome of Parliament would miniftera fpeedy

B huse

remedy ; although therein they fhould fomewhat vary from their way “4

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Church Government; as well knowing there can be no greater advantage given to our Co'nMon Enemy : then the continuance of thefe our divifions

and difaffe@ions. . a

And where Mr. Pryn may {uppofe all liberty of this kinde, would tend to the encreafing of erronions opinions,and difturbance to the State; I beleeve he is

miftaken ; for let any mans experience witnefle whether frecdome of di:fcourle be not the readielt way both togive and receive fatisfaction in all things. Kod as for difturbance to the State : admit any mans judgement be {o mifinformed, as to beleeve there is no finne ; if this man now upon this government fhould take away another mans goods, or commit murder or adultery;the Law isopen, and he isto be punitbed as a malefactor, and fo for ali

crimes that any mans jadgement may miflead him unto. | And truly you are to confider 1n reading his great Book (improperly entituled, Truth triumphing over falthood ) that he acknowledges them to bee but no@turnall lucubrations, diftradted fubitane colle@tions; and if youtruly weigh them you will finde them very light, and litle betrer compacted then meere dreams, or fuch fumes as men ufeto have betwixt flceping and wa-

| king : and when you have viewed all thofe many fheets, confider them asin one, and it will refemble Saint Peters vifion, a mixt multitude of unclean teftimonies raked out of the ferpentine dens of meertyrannous Princes, Antichriftian and Machivillian Councells, erronious Parliaments,and bloudy pere ‘fecuting Councells and Convocations, which he hath produced , to be per{waders and controlers in thefe times of pure Reformation. Certainly if a man were not in a deep Lethargy, fucha mafle of fo grofle excrements could not pafle from him without offence to his owne noftrill ; if it be his cafe, hee that fcracheth him moft , and handles him moft roughly, 1s his belt friend,

therebeing no other remedy ; whenheis recovered and broad awake hee will thanke his Phyfitian : in the meane timethus much is prefentedto his admirers , to preferve them from that malevolent infe@ion , unto which -hiswritings and reputation of former fufferings might fudject them unto; and this by one who is no more obliged to any Independenr, Anabaprift, Brow. nift, Separation, or Antinomian, then Mr. Pry# himfclte;. bute bach taken

paines know them fomewhat love them their incere to love to our dear Country better, , to the and jult cannot libertiesbut thereof, and toforour jutt Parliamentary Government : moft heartily wilhing them their juft defires, and a peacefull life amongft us : [That chey might be encouraged to joyne heart and hind with us, in profecution of the common Enemies, of our come mon liberties, Knowing no rcafon whyI thouid not love and affitt every perfon that loves his Country unfcignedly, and endzavours to promote the good and freedome thereof, though of different yxdgement with me in matsersof Religion; in which cafe I am not to judge or Controle him, nor he me : and/I heartily wifh al. true lovers of th-te Country were in chis minde; and when they are fo, then the miferies of chis Nationa will foon be ended,and untill then, they will continue, a5 istoo much to be feared + I could heartily

wilh that what is here wri:ten, might yorke a good alteration in Mr. Pry»: Gat

- | (9)

[201].

but when I remember the ftery, That a cettain Lawyer came to our Saviour; tempting him;] fear it is i refpe& of himfelf,>ut wathing of a Blackamoore : (elf deniall, is too hard a leffon for bin; and if fo, you fhall havehimin fome bieeer reply inftantly; for though he cannot out-reafon men, yet if he can bue gut-wrire his oppufers, he claps his wings and Crows vifforia, chathe hath filencedthemall, Truly tor writing much, I verily believe chat he out-does

any manin Ergland, whichis no commodisy at allto a Scate or the fruth, and then contidering what free liberty he aath co Print whatfoever he wri-

teth, difcrect men will contider what a great advantage he hath therein, and will not deem it want of ability in his oppofzrs, though they due not fee him prefently anfwered to theit full fatisfa@tion ; and yeu I am confident bis great Booke will be fuddenly anfwered thrcughly : but if Me. Pry would deale upon equall tearmes, and ule meanes that the Preffe may be open for all Subj sé&s,but for fix maneths next comming free from the bands ot Licencers; if Mr. Pry be not fo filenced,as that all his former and lave books doe not un~ der fellbrowne paper; let me be henceforward efteemed as vaine 2 Coatter, asnow I eftcem him : for his oppofers, as in the jullneffe of this caule they cannot regard his {pleene; fo nothing would be more wilenine to the. then his love, and change of minde, whereof fome doe iior difpaire ¢ however, I end with his owne words, more juftly applyed fiat jaffiroa; better it isthat he undergoe this my plaine dealing, then that either the Readers of his bookeg fhould be feduced, or fo many innocent well-aficGed perfons belo groffely

abufed by him. ) 7 FINIS.

BLANK PAGE ,

[RICHARD OVERTON] THE ARAIGNEMENT OF MR. PERSECUTION

1645 The Araignement of Mr. Persecution appeared in London in 1645 in two editions, the first edition being twice printed. On the title-page of his copy of the

first edition in one of its states (A), now in the British Museum, Thomason has entered the date, April 8. The other and more correctly printed state of the first edition (B) is represented by a copy in the British Museum (4105 a 45) and by a copy in the library of the Union Theological Seminary. The text is here reproduced in state B from the Union Seminary copy, collated with a photostatic print of the British Museum copy. The second edition shows slight

alterations and additions, the chief of which are some verses at the end addressed to Martin Mar-Priest by “Christopher Scale-skie, Mathematician in chief to the Reverend Assembly of Divines” and a note defending the language used in the pamphlet on the ground that the author is deriding fools. The work in one or more of its printings was probably produced by the clandestine press with which Overton himself was connected. For evidence of Overton's authorship, see Volume I, pages 95 ff.

BLANK PAGE

[205]

THE

°.

Araignement Prefented tothe

CONSIDERATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, and to all the COMMON PEOPLE of England.

WHEREIN HE 1S INDICTED, ARAIGNED, CONVICTED, AND Condemned of emnity againft God , and all Goodn:fJe, of Treafins , Rebellion

Blosdshed,€5c. and ferit to the place of Execution. = Inthe profecution whereof, the Ucfuiricall Defignes , and &cret Encroachments of hi Defeme

dants, Se SY MON SYNOD , and the LOHN of al Sx LOHN'S,

Si JOHN PRES BITER, uponsbe Liberty of the _ Subjectis deretted.and lard open. Noa seieneEmmneneemeanememnenesoneses beiaeeaneeemenemanenenenemieenmnenenmeenamnemenann on asennad SeReRRnaERRanEn meet Th ee ee aee ee

By Yongue MARTIN MAR-PREIST, Son to old MARTIN the Metrapolitane.

This is Licenced, and printed according to Holy‘Order, but not En:ered into the Srationers Monopole,

Angle MARTINIS dice favere tus.

EVROPE. Printed by MARTIN CLAW CLERGIE, Printerto the Reverend ‘Affembly of Divinesfand are to be fhould at his Shop in Tol:vation Sereet,at the Signe of che Subjeéts Laberty right

- Oppolite to Perfecuting Court. 16.45.

BLANK PAGE

nr rece RE TT

[207]

‘The Epiftle Dedicatorie.

TO

THE REVEREND LEARNED THE PROLOcutor, Affeffors, the Commi‘ftoners of the Church of Scot land and thre reft of the venerable Atfembly of Divines, now fitting inholy Conva-

~ Cation at Weftiminfter. :

Reverend Sirs,

According to my duty at your divine entreaty , I have reduced thofe pious inftructions received from you, into fuch a pleafing forme, as I hope, fhall not only affect , bute abundantly edefie the people of this Kingdome under your holy Lurifdiction; for confidering _ your {pirituall care over them , and how your tims hath been taken up wholy in the procure=

ment of that facred Ordinance for ‘Vythes , wyfely thoughe on beforzthbe Directory,

for he is an Infidel and denyeth the faith, that doth not provide for his family : your lave humble Advice digeftedintofeverall Afertions : your fore tracull and paine you

have daly ever fince your holy Convocation undergon; to bring to birth dis Holynetfe, Sry LOHN PRESBY TER 3 -andother your toylefome endeavours for the Honeur of your holy cloth , I bave therefore nore ws!lingly become your Loyrneman to caf? your

Burthen in ehis your toylefome tuncof De formation; and having thus-prepared my endeavoures , fit for the publike vew, Iam emboldnedto‘Dedicate they unto your divine protection. nor doub:ing of the facred impofition of your hands uponthem, to fanchfie them unto the people, as, truly Presbyierean , that comeing forth with your Clatficall Authotity, they may obtaine a reverent eftumation with them. And feeing Ihave made fuch abappy beginning » I doube not of an anfwerable encour :zement

fromyou to proceed as I have begun, but a fall matter will pleafe MARTIN, ifyou fanctifie bim with the Benedicite ofa Cornelian Benefice of 400. |. per annum, to knocke downe the Anabaptifts, Brownifts, €%c. sith your thumpme , bumping,

Presbyterean, Clafficall CLUB, that shall fuffice pro tempore , and withall tozratsfie him with the Deane of Pauls Houfe that’s but a finall matter, it will become bis worthip very tell for the prefeyt, and afterwardsyou may doe , as it shall fem beft to your divine wifedomes according to his eft defervings thetein-5 bets a fingular manin{uch a bufines, and wants nothing but preferment 5 you doe not thinke , nether doth ie enter into

your hearts , bow reverend Yongue MARTIN can thunder-thump the Pulpit, O, becan {taer moft devoutly, ratle and bawle moft fervently, ftorme moft tempeftioufly even

sillbe foame at mouth moft preci{ely ; Ob bow be canfpetter't out! O thef:curfid Anas baptilts, ebefe wicked Brownitts, thefe Heretickes , thefe Scifinatickes , thefe Setaries 5

O MARTIN bath it at bis fingers end, he's an Univerfity ma, shld in the Tongues and Sciences, and can fophifticate any Text, O heis excellent ar ‘alfe

Glotles , and Scholaftike Interpretations, he can wreft the Scriptures moft neatly , tell the people it is thus and thusin the Originall, an exccllent man to make a-Presbyter ! andOBretheren, if MARTIN thus delude the people &

A 3 thrasks

i [208]

The Epiftle Dedicacoris. —

thrash ehofe Heretichs.inbepefure MARTIN shall be partaker of bis hope, you will

Mt mae the oxe thir pele ouryourcorne; #0, MARTIN hath better ftecme of the Affembly, be doth not once fuppofe , that lke Bell s Afembly of Presfts they'd

dsverre all themfelves,and leave nothing for M ART IN, but seis no marter,M A RTIN well be contene with hard meats rather then defert the ferv ce of fuch anho'y, fuck arevcrend Aff mbly, {uch a Quagmire of croaking skip-jackc Presbyters . fuch is bis

zeale and ptous affection to the Caufe , hz isrefolved to warke wit b Ins omne bands | rather

then be troublzfome : Thus committing bts endzavourestoyar learn ed Contul a £0 chufe Hierarchie, Ceremonies, 3c. where ‘their deeett w detetted, hated, and re= jetted , it feemcs bes betrer acquainted with him then fo, the next time he writes, we [hall have mae of the Dsvels mud, but it ts lkelyhe'llbave fini{ hedhs Dew figne firft , and th.nit may be, Mr. Edwards sill tell us, that the Divell beteer perfwaded of Presbytrie (bis laft fhife) then ever be was of Fpueopacte , be will be fo ferviceable to him therem, for sf Mr. Edwards and the Divell be not deceived, he intends with i: to devoure , breake in peeces, aud ftampe the refidue the Hierarchte hath left under bis feete, fo to weare out the Saints of the moft High. |

And thus my Lerd, youhave my Reafons, why this fellow LIBERTY-~

OF-CONSCIENCE is not to have admittance within the verge of this

PERSECVTION. | |

Kingdom, much leffe to enter thus into the bowels of this Court to give in Evidence , ta be proceeded on upon the life and death of this holy mam, Mr. Lxb. Conf. My Lord, Sw Iobn’s a pritty forward child, that can pratle thus before he have his teeth; thy fay he hath been breeding of teeth ever fince the the Affe:nbly were in confulation; furely they'll be huge, lo:g, boarifh tuskes when they come our; fhovld your Lordfhip but caufe his mouth to be opened , youmight fee great iron reeth lieinhis yummes, ready to cut, he wants mathing but a Parlsaent Corall to whet them with al! :

3 ut

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Ee TN A nn 8 ee 24 | The Araignement of Perfecution.

put my Lord, were he mine , I would kiock out his braines with an Indepena dant Hammer, to prevent the groweth oi: {uch teeth, for Damell tels us the nature of great iron teeth, Nou whercas my Lord , he excepteth againft my switnefle, | humbly conceive , the equity of this Cours cannot receive his exe ception againft me in the ju(tification of this Butcher and murtherer of good - men, feeing himfelfeis a mercileffe in humane Butcher , the {on ofa Butcher, yea my Lord, his Grand-father and Great-Grand-father were Butchers ; for whereas my Lord, lie hath acquredthe name of Sur Iobn Preslyter , in truth he isa Prieft, the fon of a Buicp, Grand-child rothe Pope, and the Divell

is his Great-Grand-facher, all murtherers and Butchers of Gods eople.

‘Therefore good my Lord let not minz Evidence be thus unjuftly diGnabled. :

ludge. LIBER FY-OF-CONSCIENCE, youare fworne for the King, to give in your Evidence in his Majefties behalfe agaiaft the Prifoner at the Bars and thechallonge ay ainft you being {uch as may be dispene’d with, you are to proceed in your Evidence,

LIBERTY-OF-CONSCIENCE. My Lord, To what the former Evidence have teftified I fhall with brevity

adde, thar thisMalefactour PERSECUTION deftroyeth the Inno-

cent with the wicked, contrary to the commaund of Chrift, Mar. 13.30. dee the tares and the wheat grow together untsll the haroeft, from which Parable

appeareth , that the Kingdome of heaven or Chrifts Government over the ‘whole world doth ftrittly charge his fervants , the Kings and Rulers of the Earth (for 2 him Kings raigne) to futter tares; Turckes, Jewes, Paganss and Infidels ,,as wel as Chriltans to grow or live together in the Feild ofthe World, their Deminions untill the Day ofharveft , or defolution of all things, and not plucke them up, becaufe they are Tares, Turckes, Iewes, Pagans ae. Jeaft they plucke up fuch as may become asthe Pillars of Solomon in the Honfe

of God, even glorious witneffes of Jefus Chriit: What greater Rebellion therefore can Frere be by thofe Servanrs to the Heufholder , tiierto plucke up the taves from the wheat? As their office brings all auder their Dornisions, fo itis to preferve.allintheir Dominions, that tarcs and wheate, Infidell and Beleever may grow and live peaceably together.in civill cohavication , com< merce, &Xc. in their Dominio.is untill the Harveft , cr end of alithings , when

goeyeé curjed, Ee. |

the Lord of the Harveft thal feperate the tares from tie wheat , with come yee bleffedy

: | “ARq Secondly my Lord, he cepriveth the Iewes (as inuch as in him lieth)

of their deliverance according tc the Covenant God made with their Fathers from this their Caprivity, notwithftanding the wrath of the Lord shreatned agaiut them, that fhall evil entreat them therein, uch. 2.8, Eja. 54. 19. 17-

[233]

The Araignement of Per[ecution. 23 cap. 15.22.23. tor my Lord, he hath made the name of a Few as harefull as Iu-

das; yea, ins na ureisnot to Ieaveaman of thet to pille againft the wall. Now my Lord, though the Iewes are led captive by the Gentiles under the time of the Gofpell, and though the natsrall branches are broaken off, and the Heathen grafted in, yer {till they are beloved for thei Fathers fakes. Rom. 1.2%. and are nor to be perfecuted for theirinfidelity , for be that ¢-acheth them , toucheth the

apple of Gods ce: What though they are‘ftumbied? hall we boaft our felursan Zainft them? God forbid ; for if wee thuevare wild by nature. be grafted contrary tonature mto the good Olive Tree, how much more fiall they. whieh are naturall branches be grafted into thew oune Olive ‘Tree againe? ‘Therefore the Apottle

would not have us ignorant of this Myftery , that blindncffe in part bipned te

Vrael untdl the fulneffe of the-Gentsles be comein, andall Irael athe faved, Rome 41.25.26. compated to Uf4.49.22.23. Deut.30.1.2.4.5+ Amos9’14.15. Now what hindereth their falvation and deliverance fo much as perfecution, for they

are evenled captive by PERSECOTION ,and made flaves to himeven to this day ? And how fhal they beleive, if they fhal have no time given then. to beleive ? this dévelifh Spirit gives them. not aminute , he will nor faffera. Jew to live amongft the Chriftans, or come neare hiny: what hopes then isthere the lewes fhould be converted, where this Tyrantis in foree? Shall we that have reccive vantage by their rejeétion,, thus recompence them with ty= ranny ? our Lord whome they flew, would not have them flayen, but they are beloved of him , and himfelfe will be their Deliverer, Rom. 11. 26. 27.28. yet this Incendiary hath caufed our Kings, and our Rulers, our Bifhops and cur. preifts not to fuffer a lew by authority to live amongft them ; how then can we complaine of the vengance that is at this time upon us & our children, that have been fo cruel, fo haiefull, fo bloody minded tothem and their chile dren? we have given them the.cup of Trembiing, furely we muft taf? of the dregges:

Hearken therefore no longer to thofe which teach this bloody-doctrine of perfecution , tor neither they, their preachings,faftings, weepings ,leng prayers, &Ce

can deliver in the day of dftreffe, aslong as ye perfecute § Behold, yeefaft for frrife and debate, and to fmite withthe Presbyterian fift of wickedneffe ; but this 1s the Faft which the Lord bath chofn, toundoe the beavyburthen , and to let the oppreffed oe

free, and that yee breake every yoake.

Thirdly my Lord, He is a murtherer of Kings and Princes, &c. for the mur« thering of heriticke Princes isthe naturall brat of this divelith Spirit 5 for from this ground ; that the contrary minded are to be forced, the Papifts juftifie the amurthering of Hereticks, making all Heretickes wh chfeperate from. them 5 for that Relivion that is bottomed on this principle that all muft be forceds will they, nll they, where it cannot force, muft murther: fo cometh itto paffe, fo many Kings have been. murthered , by the Papifts, becaufe cafting of the Ro« mifly yoake, they free themfelves from their power of forcing » therefore the

apts

ence [234]

24 The Aratgnement of Perfecution.

Papiftsto make o 0d their courcive principle , betake themfclvcs privately te mureher fuch Princes, to prevent a countermanding power, and keep all in their catholicke fubjeEtton ; fo that fuch as would have all forced, where they can-

not force, isto be feared, will privately murther: Therefore it is da versus fora King; toeruft b:s perfon with {uch men, for if the King fhould change bis Rz'gion , to

One Oppotire to theirs , who knowes, thofe men will not doe as their principle leads them, eves murther them Prince ; but on the contrary, that Religion that is groun led onthe pri ciple of meckencffe , partence , and long fuff.rance , inftru€ting the contrary minded, and utterly contefting againft all compulfion, cannotin the leaft mzafure adininifter any feare or danger unto Princes of their perfons , be of what Religion they will, for be they of any Religion or of no Religion, tor matter of violenceiz :s all one to the Spirit of meekenetle, tor irs nature is only to perfwade,

not tocompell; if by faire meanes it cannot prevaile, ithath done , committine the iffue to God. Fourthly my Lad, He isan utter enemy to all fpirituall knowledge, a hin-

dercr of its encreafe and groweth; for no man knoweth butin part, and what weeknow, we receive it by degrees, nowalitle, andthenalirle ; he that knowesthe moft, was once as ignorant as he that knowes the leaft ; nay, isit not frequent amoneft us, that the thing that we judged herefie we now beleive isorthodox ; now can fuch thinke them{clveswere worthy to beene per(ecuted in ,and for that their ignorance ? they cannot {ure be ofthat mind ; uch therefore cannot condemne , imprifon, or hang the ignorant ,Or fuchas . difcover or oppofe their ignorance » but in that they condemne themfelves ,

{inne againft nature and their own knowledge : The twelveat Ephefis thar had not fo much as heard whether ehere were a Holy Ghojt or uo , if they had

been fo evilly ufed by Paul when he heardit, how fhould they ipake with tongues , and prophetied ? yet we feehowcommon a thing it is , 1f we know not, nor beleive fo much as the multitude knoweth or beleiveth, or the DoCtrine of the Preslyterean Church requireth , we mutt be ‘Perlecuted 3 and if our knowledge goe beyond them, that we proteft againft their errours, and lae bour to informe them better , we muft taft of the fame fauce too, fo that wee

mutt know nor beleive neither more nor leff2 then they , bur muft beleive juft as they beleive, or elfe be perfecuted 5 asifa Statute fhould be enacted, thar _-

an Lage fhould be made, and all that were higher or lower then the Image fhould be hanzed: By this we may fee , what anunreafonable thing it is evile ly co entreat fuch as we judge ignorant and erroneous, or all to be erronious and heriticall chat we underftand nor our felves: What fhall we fay then of

fuch Miifters, that of rationall creatures would teachusto be thus unreafonable ? their end # deftruftion, their belly their God, they ferve the Parlia« ment but for their owne bellyes , and by good words and faire {peeches deceive the

dimple: Thefe uphold the accurfed Doctrine of Pexfecution, leaft liberty of princing »

[235]

LT LE NC, Meee uhesesnetnns gute canennereh

of Perfecution. 25 pe ‘The NeAraignement TT I Sn a ee gee

printing, sweriting,teaching, fhould difcover their deccipts, and they be dis-inheri-

ted of their Fathers Inherteance ; their intents are plaine to him that hath bur helfe an eye to fee, they’l not doe much, only chanze the title , before it was Epifcopal Prelacy, it fhall be now bit Pret/tly or Preslyterian Prelacy, fo that, he that lives but a {mall time fhall furely fee a Presbytery as fat as ever was a Bishopsthofe

are enemies toall knowledve,thatis either too fhort or beyond their belyes, therefore ts it,that all hcads mutt be made even with th : Preslyters,none higher nor none lower, juft.as tall, and no taller, be that + tooshort muft be firetched cut, and he that is too long muft be paredeven, leaft they fhould muff: of their Prayers , give

no earcs. |

us thts day ovr tol tythes, that the Germaine proverbe might be tulnlled, phorhen Zetzegkeite , Gortes barmehartzeghste , were bis in ebckeite , the coveteoufnefie of

the Preifts andthe mercy of God endure forever; I wouldexhort then to be otherwife minded , but that I know, venter non habetaures , the belly hath Prif. My Lord, I befeech you beare me after this tedious Accufation , it % falfe

and malicious, as ty found reafon , and Perfonages of Lonour I shall clearly evidence : Firft

my Lord, afr GODS VENGANCE ny Profecutour , both ehe Iuries, with divers others, together with the witneffes , enforced him to profecute me , and Thnow

not Ly what pretence they proved GODS VENGANCE agzainft me; for my Lord , I am ammocent , and ever have been from my Cradle from fuch and fo bainous accufation , as laid to my charge : And for that fellow, that pretends he hath knowne me fince the comeing of Chrift , be 1 a man of no reputation , without habitation,

a bezgerly fellow , avunagate, a loofe fellow , he fluyes in no place, keeps no inf tallity , blafpheameth that moft divine , Liviticall , ever to adored Ordinance for Tythes , and counteth it 4s an unholy thing, pasesnone where be lives » but sharkeshere and there » where be can shufle in bis head , runnes from houfe tohoufe , todclude fimple women, who are ever learning, and never learned 3 and Where ashe futh, ba name

# CHRISTIAN, ba names not CHRISTIAN, neither ts he ofthe geneo ration of Clwiftianity » but a mofl faftious diffembling Anabaptift , a Tubpreacher, and no Clriftian, as Sit Symon, Sir Tohn, and divers other reverend , and honot =.

rable perfons bere prefent can witneffe : As for Gaflar Martyrs, be # as a founding braffe and tinckling Cymball, who though he giveth up his body to be burnt, himfelfe is but a caftaway,and ths Iam able to make good untoyour Honour; by the moft grave » and folid judgonent of all the reverend Divines, the Clergie of Chriftendome : Therefore my Lord , i¢ much matterech not , what be Evidence

# , it being but the malice of an Héreticke : Andasfv LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE, Sir Symon, and that bleffed babe, bis Sonne Sir lohn,( fanttified from

bis mothers wombe, the Synodian Whore of Babylon, ) bathsuformed your Honour |

defence. .

of rhe unworthyneffe of hu witneffe. My Lord, I defire Sir Symon may {peake in my

) ie Symon, My Lord , this Gentleman here arraigned » is altogether innoceat

[236]

26 The Aratgnement of Perfecution. ane ernprc nee en SAA LET CSTE, cent from thisaccufation , I have had antient familiarity with him, a dayly fociety hath paft betwixt us,and I never could find any fuch thing in him ,and my Lord, hereis Mr. Pontsficali Revenue , Mr. Ecclefiafticall Supremacy, Mr. Nations! Confirmity, Mr. Rude Multitude , Mr. Scotch Government , and mine only Sonne, Sir Iobn Presbyter , all to witnes his innocency from this Accufation: And if your Lordship make any {cruple hereof , that learned Gentleman, Iuftas Conformity, of Lincolns Inne Ef7. can thoroughly refolve you, both by Scripture Texts, Prefidents of allfores, and the conftant interrupted pra€tif:s , examples, of the moft eminent Empzvours, Princes, Councels, Parliaments, &c.

Lib. Conf. My Lord , the Def-ndane {mels of a fat benefice 3 fee, fee, his | pockets are fall of Presbytertan Steeples , the Spire {ticke under his Girdle: ha, ha, bab; inftead of Weather-cocks , every Spire hath gota Blacke Boxe uponit » andin it the pure andimmaculate Ordinance for Tythes, Oblations, &c. Sure fhortly. inftead of Mofes and Aaron,and the Tio Tables,we fhali have Sir Symon, and Sir [ohn holding the late folemne League and Covenant, and that demure, fpotiefle, pritty, lovely , facred , divine , devout, and holy Ordinance for Tythes {the Tio Tables of our new Presbyterian Gofpell) painted upon all the Churches in England. Oh brave Sir Symon, the Belsin your pocker chime afl im while ours chime all-out: I pray you give us a Funerall Homile for your friend here before

he depart , here’s ewenty shillingsfor your paines , you know’ is facraledge to bring downe the price , Asst was m the beginning , # now, and ever shall be , world withoutend. Amen.

Crier. Make way there for the Iuric. : The lurie withdraw, and thus fallinto debate about thew verdiét.

Creation. Gentlemen, from the Evidence.of the Pitneffes againftt P ER«

SECOTION, Iclearely perceive, that he is of fo divelifh and unnaturall difpofition, as is not computible with the workes of the Creation , all creaturs of a kind affociate, feed, and converfe together , there is a publicke freedome ofall kinds among‘t themfelves, the Oxe , the Affe, the Sheep , and all forts of Cattell ; the Dove , the Sparrow, and all kinds of Birds have aState harmony ; a publike Toleration , generall Concord and unity among theinfelvesin their feverall kinds :. but this Malefaétour as from the Wineffesis evident » unnaturallizes man-hind above all kinds of Creatures, that where he rules , no peace publike, or private ; no freedome , rights, or liberty either civil or {pirituall 5 no fociety , cohabitation, or concord Nationall nor Domefticke can po:libly beamonzft men, but envying batred,emulation, banishment, &c. Wherefore, from the confideration hereof , and of what the Witneffes have given in , tome he appeareth guilty, what fay you Mr. Gofpell?

Gofp. Mr. Foreman, Whereas itis by Sir Iobn and fuch lixe urged , that the Kings of the Gentiles have equall power with the Kings of Ifracl of old : une deritand, that their fupremacy was. but foratme, wnesll Shslob came » and no

onger,

wm [237]

agrnens CTO eR ee ae RE LL Ce CACORE A i rece en cenafan

| Lhe Avaignement of Perfection. 27

longer, to whome then the gathering of the people should be ; he came to take away the Fir » that he might aftablish the Second, being made Mediatcur of abztter Covenant , eflablished on better promifes, the forgivenelle of finnes, and the guift ofeternall lite : Bue he that defpifed Mofes Laws , dyed without mercy under two or three witneffes.

The old Covenant was over the Oldman , and itsCondemnation or punifh-

‘ment was over the O/d man, to wit, this corruptable fallen State of Mortallity, and therefore they executed death upon the tranfgreffors thereof. ‘The New Covenant is over the New man , to wit, the Spirit that fhall be raifed out of this corruptable at the Refurreétion ; therefore hath it the promife of forgivineffe of fins, and eternall life ; the penalty ofthat, temporall death, the death of the Old or earthly man inthis life; the penalty of this , everlafting death, the death ofthe

New or Spiritual inthe hfeto come; wee are New Creaturcs-or men now but by faith, man vot actuall ull rhe Refurrection, we are to live as ifNew we were

raifedagaine, for the condition of the Gofpell isnot tous, asthe Condition of Innocency was to Adam, a Condition in this prefent State of this prefent State, aShiswasto him, towit, the Condition of immortallity in immortallity; but ours a condition in prefent mortallity of future immortallity ; foisit, that mortallity being {wallowed up of ife, we are prefently under the end ofitsCondirion, Salvation, or Condemnation, Therefore as the RefurreCtion cannot poffibly be but by Chrift, fo the penalty cannot poifibly be by other;

itis out of the Spear of this world, therefore out of the power of the Princes ofthis world, as they cannot be Mediatours of the New Teftament, {o they cannot be punishers therein; Therefore to punifh the Offenders therein, is

to attempt the Throne of Chrift , and ufurpe (asmuchas inthem lieth) his

Mediatoursbip: Therefore hath he referred the contemners of his Gofpell untill the Iudgment of the Laft Day. And for that in Ifaiah 49.23. And Kings shall be thy mirfing Fathers, and Queens thy nurfing Mothers : itisa Prophefie of the deliverance of the Jewes from their Captivity , to whom Kéugs and Queens fhall be afitane in their returne to the Land of their Forefarbers,as ver.19.22.23.26.&Ce witneffe. Politicke Power. Mr. Foreman, Salow populs , the fafery of the people , is the

Soveraigne Law , orfundamentall conftitution of Civill Government: there fore though Majeftracy hath been corrupted and abufed,(as appeareth by our Evidence) to the terrour of the moft virteous, confcientious , well-minded men, andthe maintenance and protection of the wicked; fo that it hath been perverted from the generall good if all forts, fcéts, and focteties of people, unto thisor that fore or feéts yet this evill in Majeftracy is to be cut off , ne pars fincera trabatur. ‘Ard Mr. Foreman, itappears by our Evidence,

that PERS E CUTI ON isthe originall of the difeate , therefore to be

cut off , leaft the whole politique body perifh: For where Perfecutionis, what - diffentions , mutinies , tumults , infurrettons , uproares , and divifions; what con~

E 2 Spiracies,

[238] — eqeoeeeen ore enaet ETOSRAIEI NG RS

28 The Araignement of Perfecution. Spiracies » Treafons and Rebellions ; what bloodshed, eruelty, and inbumanity hath been

by our Evidence declared , the which by our owne experience we find verified in divers Kingdomes, States, and Previnces : for doc we not fee » betwixr the Carholicke Canfe and the True Proteftant Religion (fo cal d) the Chrftian tmeorld is

embrewed with blood, dcftroying and devouring one an other : the dafhing of thofe twoimperious, ambitious ; infolenr Religions , the Papalland Proteftang together betides what it hath done to the Houfe of Auftrea, &c. hath fplit the Doinirions of this politique body afunder, that they wallow in one an others viral] blood, burning, defivoying, and ruinating all before them; how many Townes , Villages, and fumpteous buildings have been burnt? what Tillage and Meddowes laid waft, and how many thoufands of imocent foules have been flayenin Ireland

contrary.to the end and foundation of polstique Govermnent ? and doth not England taft even the dregges of this Cup » yea fivallow st downe with greedynes , that we

ave even drunke with one an others blood , enraged with madneffe » crueltics , &c.

without all hopes of peace till one of thefe perfecuting Religeons have devoured e other. Mr. Seate-policte. Mr. Foreman, though from Rome , the fpiric of Perfecution

1s conveyed into moft fects of Religion, and is dayly found to the fhame of Religion among fuch as are or would be counted religious , and moft States, and Kingdomes being rent with {uch perfecuting Relgens , therefore the Kingdoms of

Chiaftendome have judged the Toleration of divers Ses inconfiftent with State poly 5 yet Politians would they confider, need not in curing one mifcheife run upon aegrcater; for fuch good and wholefome meanes might be provided , asin a fmall time this violent fpirie might be worne out , the next generdtion be ofa better temper,and and length Perjecution to be as rare as now common,and a more placable peaceable {pirit confiliated among the genera lityofmen : And feeing this impatient , violent , ambitious fpirit is fo dange-

: roustoCivillS ocieties, their freindfhip & unity, fo deitructive to publike peace. and fafety : Itis therefore neceffary, that Kings and all Governours , whofe

Office is , that all may lead a‘ peaceable and quiet ii under them , fhould in policy

tothe generall good, fee to the fecuring of their Dominions from this factious fpirit,by fuch whole fome {trict Lawes may conduce to the luppreffion thereof, as of Treafon , Rebelliot, or the as like; forbelt all are Traytours and Rebels in their hearts to the publike peace, and generall good ofhumaine focieties,falus populs , the peoples fafety, (which our State counteth the fupreame Law) which

are of a perfecuting {pirit ; for it is in direct oppofition to thatLaw ; And who more guilty then the Paps/t and the Preteftant, when one is too mighty for the other , the Papi ftronger then the Proteftant , the Proteftans ftronger then the Papift, the ftrongeris fo ambitious and fiery zealous for his owne caufe , efpecially the Pap;/t, that one place is too hor for them both, andthe Proteftant as he isa perfecutour of the Papift , fo as wellas the Papitt , is hea Pesfecutour

EOI, [239]

Per{ecutzon. 29 nn cccncThenrAratgnement LLL EEofEE EN mca,

Perfecutour of Anabaptifts, Browmfts, Antineminians, Independants, &c. bat they |

perfecutenone, but feeke the generall Bood » peace, and fafery ofall Sorts,

Scéts, and Societies of people , yea even of their Enemies; fo that as Papiftsare Enemies and Traytoursto the fafety of all Sorts, Se&s, and Societies , fo are the Proceftants, conidered in this perfecuting capacity , both perfecuting; there+ fore in this fenfe their R:ligsons are both trayterous , defperate , and dangeroms

tothe PublskeGood : Therefore it ought to be the care of thofe Kingdomes and States where thofe perfecuting Religions are, to purge thofe Religions of this malignant perfecuting fpirit , this erayterous~ yer their Religion though different was not difturbant to the State: And in the time of Chrift, when Ifraelf was captive to the Romans,lived divers Scésof Religions, Herodians, Scribes, and Pharifes, Sadduces and Lsbertines fuch as denyed the Refurrection , and Samaritanes the common Religion of the Iewes, the Chriftian and Apafiolick Religion yall

which differed from the common Religion of the State ; which in all probability was the worship of Diana,whome all the world almoft then worshipped, AGt.19.20.

yetall thefe lived under the Government of Cefar , not any wayes injurious to

his Crowne and Dignity , or difturbant to the peace of his Government: but

when Perfecution arofe,then the State was troubled by tumults,uproares,&Kc.And how doth Toleration injure the State of Holland, Poland , Trafilvania, &c. their Weales,States,and Citties are welland peaceably governed, divers Religions are

in their Provinces,yet all have one harmony in matters of Srate,all united and engaged in the generall fafety, peace, and tranquillity of their feverall Kingdoms, States, and Provinces, wherein they fo freely enjoy their feverall fafetics, protection and freedomes. Mr. Liberty -of-SubjeEt. Mr. Foreman, befides what I have received from the

Witneffes, of my pwn experience I know, thatif PERSECUTION be not -esecured , the Liberty of the Subje&t (now in controverfie) caanotbe fetled in this Land; for the Anabaptifts, Brownifts , Independants, &c, true and guth fall

ubjects

[242]

a32aeThe aeAraignement a Tae TST of cae aca acc. cece nel Perfecution, seeiiaememmmmndemace an memaaeaae ii Sas aaa aaaasaaaaaaaaaacaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamadacadcamacaaaadacaalaaaaaamaaaaaaaaaasaaaaamadaadaamcaaacasaaaacaaaaaaasaaasaaaaaaasaaaacaaaa saad

~ Subjects to the Sate’, that ftood to the publike caufe, when the Priefts & fuch like fcsrrelous vermine , durft {carce be feen in it,but Iefustically caried themfelves

in an equall ballance betwixt both, that chough the King had conquered , yer moft of them would have Kept their Benefices, aswife generatwn! 1 fay, thefe

more noble{psrited men, that freely {pend cheir Jives,forcunes, and eftates for the

Liberty of the Subje€t, andfor that from the moft noble andof rationall principle > the Common Good and not felfe refpe, seither thofe themwhich {urvive,

nor the fucceders in theit faith fhall enjoy this Liberty, their juft Birtb-righr, but be wholy deprived thereof, and the purchafe oftheir Blood be ceaf'd and

, devoured by thofe Preslytertan Horfe -lecches , and confined to fuch blood-thirfty Cattle, which is directly oppofite to the ju? Liberty ef the Subjed.

Mr. Compaf: Sam. Mr. Eoreman, I have beheld the innocency of their intentions and

honzfty of thei lives, (to wit of Anabaptifts, Brownifts, &c. ) their affeftions te the Commen- wealel,thetr forwardnes of affiftance in purfe and perfon, knowing their Mec= tings to be fo innocent, {o far from confederacy or counterplots (pag.3.) and yet their perfons So hated, contemned , and belyed , fuch wounds made upon rheir con{ciences that my heart

aboundeth with greife , that their miferie should be thus paffed by , their wounds fo swideand deepe , and no oyle of mercy powred in : fothat me thinkes , everie man % bound

in confcience , to fpeake and doe what he canin the bebalfe of fuch an harmeles people as

thefe. (pap. 4.) ‘Therefore , Mr. Foreman, being privy to the truth of the

Evidence againt PERSECUTION, the fole caufer of their wounds and miferie , Iconclude him , an enemie again(t God and all goodnefJe,€3c. and that he is guilty of the Inds&tmene.

Mr. Truth-€5-Peace, Mr. Foreman, much I could fay againft the Prifoner, to witnefle the verity of the Indiftment,but for brevity fake I fhall referre you to the difcovery I have made of his Impiety, Treafon, Blood-shed, &c. in that Booke intituled, The BloodyTenent, and I commend unto you; and to the ne=w ceffary perufallofthe COMMON NS and nobles of England, that moft fa. mous peece, called, The Compaffionate Samaritane,as a moit exact modell of rationaliry. Mr: ht-of-Nature. Mr. Foreman,whereas Sir Symen in the defence of P E.R-

SECUTION faith , thar LIBERTY -OF-CONSCIENCE

opens agate toalb manner of prophaneffe loofene{Je,&c.the Livht of Nature might teach

him, that Tolerationis no Approbation, or the fuffering of Religions a ware rantto be ofro Religion, mwch leffe to publike prephareffe ; for this comes within the compaite of that which Nature teaches the moft ignorant , therefore within the reach of publike reftraint,accord'1¢ to the Lawes of common modefty and civility, which Nature hath written inthe hearts of all mennaturally:Such publixe Tranfereifions tht are uncivill,unnaturall,and unbecomeing humaine focicty,as open prophaneff2 and loofenefe fall under the reftraint,and

correction of the Mageitrate whole power is over the things of Naturesthofe ing

LL ae aS

[243]

The Avaignement of Perfecution. : 35

being offences of that kind : Asthe Majeftrate is to maintaine the publicke eace, and all civill focieties therein, fo isit preferve publike modefty, comFines, and civillity, that there may be a ge:erall comely demeanour 4s ratio= nall creatures, 0 their carriage and publicke demeanours are to be rationall repular, and comely; and not openly licentious, prophane, and blafphemous, contrary to common fenfe, reafon, and humanity. Mr. Creation. Gentlemen, we have {pent much time , and our Virdi@ is ex_ pected , and the cafe is fo evident and plaine , that I thinke what is done may fifice, if you Mr. Orphan, and Mr. Day of -Iudgement be agreed with us in your Verds, let us give itin: what fay you? Ambo. Weareagreed 5 guilty, pusity. Crier. A Verdict : Make way there for the Lurie.

Iudg. PERSECUTION, hold up thy hand : Mafters of the Iurie, looke upon the Prifoner, is he guilry of this Treafon, Rebellion, Bloodshed, &c. in manner and forme as he ftandsmdicted,or not guilty.

Foreman. GUILTY wy Lord.

Iudge. PERSECUTION, thou hait heard the hainous Accufation,that hath been proved againtt thee,and the verds the Iure have zivenin upon thee, what canft thou fay for thy felfe, to award the fencence of death from paffing againft thee r Pe’ My Lord , the Iuric have not dealt honefily in their verdi& , wherefore

this verdsét. | I appeal from them to the Affembl of Divines , for atryall oftheir honefty in

ude. PERSECUTION indeed thou ftand’eft need of a Long Cloak

to cover thy knaverie ; but there is no appeale from this Court, they are no San~

Euary of refuge intnis cafe , neither can I conceive fuch worthy Gentlemen fhould perjure themfelves, yet if thou haft any thing elle to fay, to award the Sentence f death, fpeake for thy felfe.

Perf. I thanke your Honour, the Lord bleffe your Honour : My Lord; I am fo terrified in my felfe at theapprehenfion of death that I am notin cafe to ipeake for my felfe : l befeech your Lordfhip,that Sir Symon may {peake in my benaife. Sir Sym. My Lord, Thz enemies of our pesce in this matter have deale very Subtilly , and moft trayteroufly againft the reverend Affembly of the faith full, rhe : Clergie , to divide them from your Lordships protettion , to deftray and binder the

worke of Reformation, Sc. for my Lord , ths man here inditted by the name of PERS ECUTION, & none of the man ; for bere % Mr. Nationall Conformity, Mr.Pontificall Revenue, Mr. Ecclefiafticall Supremacy, Perfinages of Honour , and eminencie through out whole Chriftendome , to teftifie with me, that this Priv

foner hath ever endeavour:d to purge the Church of God from Herefie, Soifme, and all manner of irregular exorbitant courfes 5 ‘and laboured for the peace of the Church, ‘that

ee [244]

34 The Araignement of Perfecution.

aos teeneeeeneeesannenems een . ——es ee eereeanniaelin einen that we maylead, alazie and aneafie life without God , and the people in the feare ofthe Clergie. Indeed my Lord, he was once of the Church of Rome , and

thereupon gencvally Fanded bythe name of PERSECUTION 3 but my Lora, for ths hundred yeaves and upward be hath been of the true Proteftant Religion, even from the time of Luthar, and at thw prefent en-devourceb with us the good of the Church i its veftizution to Prelaticall Presbytrie : And upon bw {eperation from Rome wb Luthar, be uteerly renounced the nicke-name of PERSECUTION, an rhough unhappily through lefuicicall tuggeftions & delufions be was too frequent

in the Spaniih inquiiition , and of late by Epifcopall fophifticarions infed to officaten the High Commitfion 5 yet my Lord, be was ever in bimfclfe an honeft

Keformer, and indecd his true name Prefent Reformation, be sas borne not long after the Primative umes , bute his nature and inclinations by evill Inftru-

ments have been fo much abufd, that he had even lofthis name, and being nicke-named mben he was yongue , and through long continuance of time , fergor bis namie, that indeed be anfiverd a long tome tothe name of PERSECU TIO N. bug

his true and proper name # Perfent Reformation, which by Interpretation, #%, Presbyterian Government : Wherefore my Lord , I befeeob you confider

the fubtilry of this malignant heretical] faction, who have procured the apprehenfion and indictment of this Prefent Reformation under the odious nameof PERSECt) TION, thereby at once to make your Honor both fuine your felfe , and the Presbytrie of the Kingdom: therefore my Lord; whether the Jurie have dealt honeftly in their Verdict , your Honour by this may efily difcerne. Tudge. PER SEC UTION.what fayeft thou to this ? Is thy name Prefene Reformation 2

Perf. Yes my Lord, ard my name is according to my naturall difpofition.

Indge. Wh pve you that name? |

I. Reaf. My Lord , his God-fathers and God-mothers in his Baptifme, wherein he was mide a member of the Affembly , and an Inheritor of the Kingdome of Antichnft. Iudge. His God -fathers,and God-mothers ? who are your God-fathers,and

your God-mothers ? Perf? My Lord , Mr. Ecclefiafticall-Supremacy , and Mr. Scotch-Government are

my God-fathers, Mr. State--Ambitien , and Mr.Church-Revenue are my Godmothers, and I was fpri.ikled into the Affembly of Drvines at the takeing of the late folenm= League and Covenant.

I, Reaf? My Lord, heis at this time Primate and Metrapolitane over all the Ecclefiaft. Courts of L'yranny inthe world, the Spanish Inquifition, the High Com« muffin. and now our Divises have f, prinkled his federal Holyneffeinto their Affem-

bly , and hereuponchang’d his name from PERS ECUTION, and Ansbaprifd him Prefene Reformation. Judg.

nn ee _ [245]

The Araignement of Perfecution. 35

Judg. *Tis ftrange,that at the makeing of the late folemne League and Covenanc bloodthirfty PERSECUTION fhould beAnabaptized Prefent Reformation ; then here’s a Defigne of blood in the Covenani,if urder the name of Reformation the Clergie have infufed the trayterous bloodthirfty fpiric of Perfecution into it. J. Human. My Lord, there sas never any Nationall or Provinciall Syned, but Strengthned the hands of PERSECV TION, and that unaer the vizor of Religion.

I. Reaf And my Lord, Sir Symon, and Sir Iobn’s agitation for PERSECUTION, is on purpofe , to fave this villaine, to-cut their throats, that hazard, and {pend their lives and fortunes for Us, and for the State of the Kirgdome , fuch as have been faithfull in the publske Service, never tainted with Treafon, of

oubledealing , though the Kings negotiation with large promifes have atiempted it, eve: fuch cheifly,as they brand with the names of Anabaprifts, Brownifts , &c. thofe norwithttanding they would have depriv’d of the /sberty of the fuiyeé?, yea of the/tberty of their lives; and the fole caufe hercofis, becatufe they labour to tnforme your L. with rationall principles, and ave zealous inquirers mto the Gefpel,, from thence difcover ing the iniquity of the pontificall Clergie, and (labouring for the cominon good ) communicate their underfiandings to the benefit of others, which rooving prejuditiall to the micked ends of theClergy, they labour with oppro-

Pious rames, lyes and flanders to make fuch odious, the better accomplith

their ends , and in this Defigne they have plaid their parts , for fhould PER S E~

CUTION be put todeath, the whole Clergyfeare to be undene, asthcir ex-

ceptions azaint LIBER FY-OF-CONSCIENCE did marifet;

they are afraid of the mercy of the people, they cannot endure ¢o ferve only for ConScience , their tongues are even weth thew bellyes, pinch their guts , and fpayle the Pretfts ,

shut your band , and there sa generallfilence, you may be Anabaptift , Brouwnift , or

what you will ,ifthe matter be brought ro that paffe: This is that they feare my Lord, Therefore, would they have their hands fttengthned with PERSECYTION,to prevent it-let plead who will they ftand. Moreover, myfame, Lord, thofe very men which forperth PERSECUTION, are the

even thisinan, Sir Jobn, isthe very man, thatinrhe dayes of the Bifhops complained, and contefted againtPERSECUTION, ufed all pottible meanes to be delivered out of his Eps{copallPawes , endevoured tocaft him out of the High Commiffion ; but as foone as thefe underling Divines are from under their Epicopall Task-mafters , and beginning to encroach upon

your Lordfhips power » prefently take this notorious bloody Traitour ,

PERSECUTION, ftript by your Lordfhip of his High Commiffion habir,and out of their zeale drefle him ina divine Synodicallgarbe , and chang

his name from PERSECUTION, and criften him Reformation; fo to

2 one

engage your Lorilfhip, and the Kingdomes of England and Scotland in blood, ro fectle and eftablifh bloody Perfecution by Ceuendnt over the Confetenees "1

eT LS [246]

36 | The Araignement of Perfecution.

honeft'and faichfuil tnen unto the State, under the {peacious and godly pre= tence of Reformation , as Mr. Ediards one of their Champions manifetts , who is {fo impudent, as to affert , thar your Lordship # bound to compell all men to the Decrees -f tbe Synol, ( a{cribing to them,.as the Papitts to the Bape ) anmfallible uncrvmg fpirit , 2nd openly proclaimes, that Toleration of fuch honeft faitifull

Subjects, as Anadaptifts, Brownifts, Independants, Antinomians, &c. tobe mdr ckt oppofition tothe Covenant , and though before they might bave beene lawfully tolerated, yet now

they cannot under breach of the Covenant : Contider My Lord , is nor this Jetuiticall

fubtilry , moft defperate and fecret delufion , that by thisCovenant they would engage your Lordfhip , either to be a Covenant breaker, or elfe intringe the Liberty of the Subject entrufted by the Common pcople in your ha::ds, ‘onc of the! is inavoydable,and yet all under the coulour of R: formation, the crue Proteftant R-licion , the caufe of God , and ] know not what; what 42 nomme Domins

p-rpetrant on: malum ;{o that itis moft certaine, that this fellow, whole name Sir Sy-70n feigneth to be Reformation, is abfolure PE RSECVTION, fo that had thefe Reformers but as much power as-Queen Mayes Clergie,their Refor-

mation would coaclude in fire and faggot. |

Iudge. Oh infuff-rabie Aifembly! I fee ’t is dangerous for a State. to pin their faith upon the fleive of the Clergie. I. Reaf- Further my Lord, whereas others are impoverifhed , fpend their eftates , engage and loofe their lives in this Quarrell, they are enriched , and adva~ced by it, fave their purfes and perfons, cram and fill their greedy guts ‘too filthy co be caried to a Beare, heape up wealth to themfelves,and giye not a penny, while others (againft whom they exclaime ) venture and expend all, ‘yea my L rd, this great zorbelly’d doll, called the Affembly of Divines , is not ‘afhamed inthis time of State neceffity , to guzle up and devoure dayly more at an ordinary meale,thenwould make a Featt for Bell andthe Dragon, for be« ‘fides all their fat Benefices, forfooth they muft have their foure fhillings a pcece

by the day, for fitting in conftollidation ; and poore men when they had fil'd. ‘all Benefices with good Trencher-men of their owne Presbyterean Tribe, they move your Lordthip, that all Minifters may be wholy freed from all manner ‘of Taxations , that now the Trade of Presbyter is the beft Trade in England » ail are taxed, and it goes free 3 poore men that have not bread to ftill the cry

oftheir children, muft either pay or goein perfonto the wars, while thofe devouring Church-lubbers live at eafe , feed on dainties, neither pay nor goe ‘themfelves but preach out our vety hearts, they make ita cafe of confcience to give all, but wife men the’l give none : Iet the ficke, the lame and maimed

i ‘Souldiers, and thofe that that have loft their limbs, and beg in the ftreets, fet women that have loft their husbands,let parents that have loft their children,

Jet children that have loft the theirpublike parentsand let all that this, haveand-be or fuffer ‘ogand nifery,in and for caufe.confder nooppreflilonger riden

[247]

Perfecution. NS LCLThe LLAraignement LEC LOofLIES COT37, riden and jayded byClergy Mafters;bur to give the Divell his due,one thing to their commendations 1 have obferved,that.they are fo zealoufly affected with the honour.of their cloth, that ‘t.were pitty to difroabe them of thetrCaffoke

garbe to be ledina ftring from Wettminfter to AllgateinLeatherne Jackets, and Mattokes on their fhoulders ; and my Lord, though fome thinxe they: would do the State more good inLeatheren Jackets andMattokes then i: long Cloakesand Caffokes,yet me thinks, they would doe the Strate better fervice

with their Canonicall Girdles, were the knot ty d inthe night place. Fudge. Sir Symon , we convocated the Affembly ro contult with about matters of Religion, not arrogating to our felves, or afcribing to them a Spirit of infallability , confidering that we are but Parliament men, not Gods, therefore we made tryall of their advice, but for them hereuponto arcgate Supre= macy over the Srate and.people,lay claime to anunerring {pirit,and perfwade: us, (46 Edwards inhw Antipol faith; that we take itfor granted , that the con— clufions of their Debates , Controverfies , and Confulations are according to the mind of Chrift, becaufe We cal’d them together , arid hereupon to compell all men totheir Decrees,is moft impudent prefumption,and popith arro-. gance 3 We did not fupprefle the High Commi{fion, to {ubject Our Selves to an Affembly,xace out Epifcopall to {et up Presbyterian Prelacy,for what more Prelaticall,

what more exorbitane then fuch prefumption , tisa meerc Monopole of the Spiris Sir Symon: you have fo plaid the Iefuites,as ic feemes, We have only put downe

the men, not the Funftion ; caught the fhaddow, and let goe the fubftance : while We were fuppreiing Primates, Metrapalttanes , Arch-Bishops, Bishops , Ecclofiafticall Courts, Canons, Injunttions, Decrees, &c, you have fo fubtilly carried the bufineffe, as it feemes, Piimacy, Metrapolitanfme, Prelacy, &c. fhrunke into: the Presbytry, and our ‘Hi2h Commiffion turn’d into an Affembly of Divines;We out of Our good intentions caft out ths Evsll Spivie thence 5 and it entred it feemes ,.

into thef{e Swine, who-thusheadlongrun upon their gwn deftruction , ( the: Dyvell bath arouse fatre Market ) arrogating infallablity,when, and a. fupremag over Us, hogges and thetoa people, condemuing P ERSan ECUTION, they were perfecured,but commending & approving itif they may perfecutes Truly-Sir Symon, you have out run the Corftable , your ambition isa little too. fwift for your policie : What breath out thrcatnings, menaces , and perfecu tions openly , before you have power to perfecure! {ure you were not in your

wits; when they were vented. : I. Human. My Lord, they have feseven till they’r run mad, you might do

well to adjorne them to Bedlam ; for my Lord, they are raging mad; to have. the innocent blood of the Auabaptifts, Brownifts, Independantsécc. I. Reaf: My Lord, they have over ftuddied themfelves, and crack’d their’ wits in finding out a Religion for us;poore men they have been mightily puz-:

£3 | Capon,

led about it, it hath coft them the confiamption ofmany fat Pigge, Chicken ,:

oe [248]

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38 The Araignement of Perfecution.

capon, &c. the infufion of many a cup of facke, to bring itto birth, and after fuch dolerous pangs, and bitter throwes for almoft thefe two yeares, who would have thought, they fhould be delivered of {uch aridiculous vermine, called, a Presbytery 3 partuviunt montes , nafcitur vidiculus mus : And row my Lord , af-

ter this mountanotws delivery, they aré at their wits end , what drefling to put it out in, allthe Taylours inthe Kingdome are not able to content tem, what to doe they know nor,and now the matters worfe then ever it was,they had thoughtto have fhewne the world it in the godly {ape of Reformation,

but upon examination ,’tis found tobe PERSECVTION, afadevent! there isuo way now, but Bedlam for our Doctours , it may chance to chaftize them into their wits againe , and then upon their fecond theuchtrs, it may be, they'l bethinke themfelves, to put a Blew Bonnet upon ’t, and then ’r will pafle

or controule. .

from England to Scotland , and from Scotland to England againe without Quettion

Iudge. Sir Symon, We bleffe God, that hath put itinto the hearts of thofe honett godly pecple, ( though publikely defpifed and hared ) thofe faithfull

freinds and lovers of the Parliament and Kingdome, whome younicke-name Anabaptifts, Brownsfts, Independants, &c. to difcover and detect unto us the lefutticall and Trayterous Defignes of the Synod with the hazard of their Libertis,and for

_ ought they know of their lives and fortunes ; for fhoeuld they not ventured themfelves in the difcovery of fuch a fubtile generation, Wo fhculd have been keptignorant through their zealous pretences, and had there been a mountaine more of their villany, it feemes they would have covered it with availe ofteares, Faftings.affetted prayers, and the like, from Our difcerning. I. Reaf. It san approved truth, that fuch a are called Anabaptifts,Brownrfts, &c. have in all Ages ucntured yea given up ther lives, toenforme Kings , Kingdemes , Parliae

ments, and Sratesin things that concerne their peace , and the glory of God ) wwhich though condernned at firft, afterwards have proved no other 5 yea fh as your Lord-

ships Predeceffours have condemned by penall Lawes , Statutes, €3c. which now your. Lerdship through the mercy of God find orbern'ife , and it * wethatreapethe benefit of their blood inrings the Supprefion of Epifcopall not they 3, for chew Supt , and thetr teftimony haveIursdiétion, detetted andHighCommiffion, informed us of their3c. unlawneffe st being their cuftome my Lord , to weare out the Myfterie of Iniquity with their blood: And now ny Lord, we that have recetvedvantage by thetr bitter fuffermes , shall we

baaft them. our felves againft them? it were ungratude to God , and’ inbumanity to Iudge. True: We find by dayly experience, that the Seperates are not fuch as ground their religion on felfe ends , for like Salamanders im the fire , they live in the hea:e of Perfccution , they {pare not theirlives , to witneffe the innocer.cie oftheir Caufe , the fire of Perfecution cannot confume, but enflames them to-«

wards their God and the Truth; rhe menacing of Kings and Governours , and

| [249] The Aratgnement of Perfecution. 39

and cruelties of their createft Adverfaries hinders not their teftimony ; thiswe find, when ever they are convented before Us,even to our aftonifhment; and we further find, tris not their owne good alone that they aime at, but the ge-~ nerall zood ofailmen, rhatall ( o2¢ as well as an other ) may lead an honeft and a quietlife under Our Protection,and We have(ro our benefit) found the ble:iing of Gad upon their endeavours , as the hopefull and glorious fuccefle In the Esnguett of Yorke, which envie and malice it felfe cannot deny » was in

ftrunentally archeived by their valour and fidelity : Wherefore injuttice to their uprightneiie, and faithfulnes to that truft repofed in Us for tie publike

Good ; the Liberty aid property of the Subject , We may not deny them the bene tit of Subjects, but as they are faithfull partiesin the generall venture, fo to be heriditatory to the generall purchafe , having as jutk a Riwhe thereto by the price of their blood as Our Selves, for that which is purchafed by blood, all the purchafers have an equall right tothe thinz purchafed. I. Reaf. My Lord, but our Deffembly Doflours teach otherwife , yet I think ifyour Lordship fhould fettle Anabaptiftrie or the like » even that which they now perfecure aad threaten.preach and pray againit, and forewarne the peo ple off; as hereticall and damnable, provided you fhould endouw it with goodly Sat Benefices and fanétife ic with the hallowed Ordinance for Tythes , OFerings » Ob-

lations , &c. queftionlefle the generallity of thofe Perfecutours of Anabapeifts would have the wit to turne Anadaptifts, for their Religion is moved upon the

Wheele of the State; when theScate was for Bishops, then they were for Bishops , and were very Canonical Surpliffz men, Alzar bewers, and the like , (and

the precifeft forr thofe tha: are now our moft zealous Presbyters) did then fo comply and conforme to Epifcopall fuperftition,asthey kept their Benefices, (exCepthere and there oie of the honefter fort, ) while the honeft Scparate (coun= ting nothing too deare for hisGod ) did opealy refift and witneife ay ainft it »

even to imprifonments, deprivation of goods , &c. But our temporizing DoCtours, our State Protsftant Minjters are not fo fimple to fwime againtt :he ftreame , they are wufer in their generation, for they kn w mot wealch goes that way, aslocg as your Ordinance is laden with Tyehes , Offerings and Oblations »

they | be fur: ro give fire; but fhould the State deprive their Religion of all Ecclefiafticall R-venue, of Perfonages, Tythes, &c. yea, fhould it be their very Presiyterie 4 y fo aimea~, hat they fh -uld fo impoverith, certainly we fhould have more Parishes chen Presiyters, more Seeeples then Doftours; then they would

no be fohor for Presbytry, fo zealous to perfecute tts oppofers , I would-your Lord thip would mak tryall, callin but your Ordinance for Tythes, and rurne them to the good iil of people, and then ——-— a ry-h Pagge seul be fold for a penny.

Iudge. W-llnocwith:ta ding the Doctrine a-d fubrtlry our Divin’s we cane not deale {% unworrhely with thofe honeft mea, bur mult by the grace of Gad, being by them better in‘ormed, proceed to Sentence againft this Mulefatiour ac~ cording to che palt Verditt of the Turse. p 3 Re

[2 50] | I LT, IT TTD _40_The —————_-— $$$ $+= Araignement of Perfecution.

. PERSECUTION fals upon bus knees. | Perf: Good my Lord, have mercy upon me , I befeech your Honour even

for the Clergies fake, have mercy upon me ; confider my Lord, thatin my death is their ruiiue,it will be the oreatch inroad upon the Divines of Chriftendome,

tharever was made. Oh! I befcechycu my Lord , by the Myfterie of thes holy Convocation, hy thew agony, and bloody fiveace , by thew Croffe and Paffion at my shamefuil approaching death and burial,

Good Lord deliver me. By their glortous RefurreEtion , and Afcention from the Pulpit above the State : By the

coming of the Holy Ghoft to them in Cloake Bagge from Scotland» Good Lord deliver ime. By the late folemne League and Covenant : By the 4co.and 50.1. for the Copy of their Dire€tory : By all the fat Bencfices, and goodly Revenues of the Clergie , Good Lord

deliver me. By the Apecripha writings and non -fenfe Arguments of Mr, Edwards :- By the diftraa Eted thoughts and fubst.aine apprebenfions of Mr. Prinne : By the Defignes of the Clergue : By their fained teares : By thesr bypocrifie : By their falfe Gloffes » Interpretatsons , and So-

phiftications, Good Lord deliver me. By the Advance of the mickle Armie into the South : By the late innocent and unde filed Ordinance for Tythes : By allthat % neare and deare unto the Clergie , the pompe and

glorie of thx world, Good Lord deliver me.

Iudze. PERSECUTION, what would’ft thou have ? here’s no place of mercy for thee , the Vengance of God cannot be difpenf'd with, thou art

not in the High Commiffion, nor Before the Affembly, this ts a Court where juttice

mutt take place. | Perf. Oh my Lord, l befeech your Lordfhip for the mercy of this honous rable Bench : My Lord, I am a Clergie man, and befeech your Honour for the benefit of my Clergie : I have been ofall the Univerfities of Chriftendom, have taken all their Begrees » proceeded through all Ecclefiafticall Orders and Functions, and my Lord,at prefent am under the Holy Order of Presbytrie, and I hope a Presbyter fhall find favour in your eyes : Wherefore I be~ feech you my Lord, thatI may have the benefit of Degration.

Iudge. PERSE CUTION, be contented , you fhall be fent tothe

place of Degradation. Perf: Oh Good-my Lord, let not a Presbyter come to {0 fhamefull an end, T befeech this Honourable Bench , that I may be repreeved but as long as.the

mercy. |

Synod and Presbytrie endure. | | Iudge. No PERSECUTION, fuchis thy Treafon, Rebillion,&c. as

cannot be difpenfed with. Perf? Oh my Lord, a pfalme of mercy, befeech your Honour, a pfalme of Judge.

[251]

Se ee ar ES, TS

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Lhe Araignement of Perfecution. : At

Indge. No PERSECUTION, no; prepare to heare thy Sentence.

Hercupon tha enfuinge Letter was privately conveyed to Lattice Conformity.

To theright worhhip full Iuftice Conformity, all Son ble’Sir ngJOHN. ani benediction ~ from his Holyneffe Sir SYMON, and his

Right worfhipfull, Thefzaretqadjure you , as you will Anfwer it before US, at the great and dreadfull DAY of OUR Clafficall exaltation above all perfons in the Kingdome , that you forghwith folliciee my Lord, to-fufpend ba Sentence but till the advance of the mickle, Armie into the South , for then we feare not the procurement of bis plenary pardon ; and for your encouragement herein laft mig my Sonlacke and I went into our Presbyterian ware-houfe, and have takena lift of all the Inftruments of torture and torment

already prepared for our Defigne to wit, tripleburning knotty corded Gagees, Pile loriés, Stockes, Sharpe Knifes,:Pincers,hot Irons,whips, Halters, allowes,

Gybbets,Rackes,Spits,Fire-forkes,Gridirons, Axes,Sawes Flefhhookes, frery Furnaces, hot Ovens, boyling-Caldrous, Fire and Fagot, clofe Prifons, darke and noyfome Dungeons , Fetters, Manacles, all in indance, moft bloody and. cruell Executicners,terrible and divilifh Tormentours as, Presbyterian Hingmen, Goalers, €3c. befides multitudes of Synodean Tyranies newly invented , not yee difcovered tothe people, fuch asnever either bP ope» Bifhop » or their adbcrents were devifed : and though we have prepared thof Divelish Inflruments , yet we shall not be fo inasfcrece , to rish them in allonafuddame 3 nowe shall obferve the temper of the people , the courfe of times, make a graduall progreffion, now alitele,and then alittle, andalwayes a mot godly and holy-pretence to usher inadamnable and wicked defigne 5 ifthe poifinga — -

bufinelJe wee find it fo beavy , that neither Synod, Divill , mor Presbyter can | Aft, we'll fufpend the matter, and infenjibly prepare the people for the entertainment thettof , which ly our vaine-glorious fafting , hypocriticall teares , prayers, and fiphifticall Sermons we shall cafily dos : dnt for your further encouragement under{tand 5 there are of certaine , froma late Confiftorie of Divels difpatched feaven foule Spirits a peece for every Presbyter throughout England , to attend them in their Parochiall

Jurisdiction : fa that a Presbyter shall be feaventimes wore thena Bithop, for dt 4 intended , be shall be more -fearce and cruell then his fe’lowes, therefore Woe, presbyterian Woe unto rhofe Anabaprifts , Brownifts, thofe ,curl Heretickes far thofe Feinds expect burthe word of €3c. command todevoure them, up: But Mr. William , all the will came to nothing , if this Prifoner be put to death , you See thofe Seftarics have had fuch freedome of {peech thar my Sonlacke and 1 can doe no Zood ; now , there being nor fuch a confiderable perfon in this County as your felf

to prevaile, WEE therefore charge you, asyoubopetobea ludge , fatle not at thas dead lift for your Eares; indeed he'sin your debt , but he vowes 5 your fiat juftitia , that if you prevaile » he'll provide you a paixe of be ver and longer, then ever you had Hevea

[252]

42 The Araignement of. Perfecution. Flereof fasle not, and we shall not be backward to anfwer your deferts, when, W E and the parliament, shall be Connnenced by

Your intire Freinds, Sr SYMON SYNOD, and Sir IOHN PRESBYTER.

I. Conformity. My Lord, were your Lordfhip but rightly intormed con«

cerning this Prifoner under the name of Mr. PERSECUTION, what. he is, and from whencé he came,your Honour would leffe wonder at his feve= rail evatious and dilatory pleaes, to award the Sentence of death, for were he

pultybath » what man doe his life ? ski for skin, and all that a man sell would be givenot forabw hfe, butforfuchishisinnocency » thatthe procece dings againit him have been altogether upon falfe grounds;for wheras by the Evidence he is aflerted ta be born foon after the time of Iinocency , and by them

ftandeth charged with all the Innocentblood fpiltupon the whole earth: I fhall by your Lordthips favour upon gocd grounds make it apeare , to be o= therwife, fcr my Lord, this prifo: er is not yet above an 100 yeares of age,be-~ ing borne in Geneva, of very good Lutheran and Calvensh parentage , about the yeare 1954.4. where he was very well educated and inftructed both inthe Tongues and Liberall Sciences; and upon 4 certaine time Fons to Sea, he was by agrcat wind raifed by Belzebub the Prince of Divels blowne into Scot land: And being fo neare us, forth ofhis zeale and pious affection to reforme the Church of the Epifcopall Prelacy to Presbyterian, he occafioned the rifing of ehe Scots as one manto oppofe that power, againft which ever fince he hath eontetted,and he lately advarced with their mickle Armie to the Leagure before Yorke, and forall this, he received many anaffront by Cromwels {cifmaticall Brigade, and from thence taking his journey through Derby, Stafferd Coventry, and Cambridge, where performing much good fervice he came to

Londm , fince whofe coming, old Grand Mr. PERSECUTION, charged in the Indictment and convicted by the Iurie, was happily and timely execured uppon Tower Hill , by all which it appeareth , that the Witnefles rhat have given in Teftimony againft this prifoner,the Gentleman atthe Bar, have greatly abufed him , your Lordthip , and the Jurie, he not being the perfon charged, and confequently innocent of the crimes laid to his charge, he being indeed as reall an adverfary to Old Mr. PERSECVTION, as any Gentleman of this wholeCountyshercofif yourLordthip make any doubt,I befeech you; that a Farvier may be called into the Court , who may make a perfect difcovery to your Lordfhip of his age, by opening his mouth and vewing his Teeth, whofeyongue, fmall, Preslytercan Pegges have no proportion betwixt the Great Tiwangs,and Tuskes of Old PERSECVTION: Andbefides this my Lord ; to Bouarish teftifie what I have faid,Me to be authenticke, there are hundreds ty the nuckle Annie, whofe abfence have occafioned this his inability to jutting an

Cn ae A NN ec L253]

The Araignement of Perfecution. 43

LL CIC capegs oO ATO OCS eae aremaiaaliseaaiencermaseneas Samael and cleare himfelfe 5 but if your Lordthip pleafe but toadjourne the bufines but till cheir sickle Advance into the South, the matter fhall be made cleare unto your Honour, for then we make no queftion to awe and crufh thofe Hereticall falle witnetles , avd advance Presbytry to its fuper Prelaticall Throne of CLASSIC ALL SVP RE MAC Y,and though at firit ic be but jure Humane, a little fire and faggot will quickly Commence it jure divino.

I. Reaf’’ MyLord, Iam much afraid ofa Confpiracy betwixt S't Symon , and Sir Iobn Presbyter with luftice Conformity, whome Tike an Tesoramus they

have per{waded int their Combination, how to delude your Lordihip,thereby to deliver PERSECV TION from the juttice of this Court; You may eafily perceave » how they would pinch your Lordfhips Nofe with a paire ot SccechSpectacles, and fixe a paire of long SynodianEares unto your Lordfhips head» that your Lordihip might fee nothing but Blew Caps, heare nothing but Sy=

nodian Thunder; but I hope your Honour isthrouglily fenfible hereof 5 yet | Jeaft your Lordfhips Innocency , and honeft endeavoures for the generall and equall Richrs and Libertiesofthe Common People , fhould be circumvented and perverted by cheirpolicie , 1 fhally hoping my platne dealir.g meerly (I call God ro witneffe) out of unfeigned love unto your Honour, ard the common Good of all the Common People fhall not be recompenfed with your High Difpleafure)prefent che cunning in “nuations and fubtile fictions of Iuftas Conformity in their true fhape ; for whercashe faith , that this prefent Prifouer is not the perfon indicted,and convicted of 1 reafon, Rebellicn &c. this being but ayongue man, the other very old, I can aflure your Lordihip , that he isherein meerly delufive , for the manis the very-fame , only through the advife of Sir T[OHN he hath.made ule ofa Presbyterian Barber, who hath fhaven from his head, his old deformed Trefles , cropt of his haire above the

. eares after the halfe moon fafhion, taught him the Presbyterian p “ture of his eyes, plaiftered up the wrinkles of his bended brow with Scotch morter, where -

by he hath acquired amcre {mooth Synod:an coustenance , but in a {mall time if he be letalone,he’l be as terrible and frighfullasever 5 forhis pritty final Peggesthathe fpeakes off ,your L.is therein mis-mformed; for the Fur yer that fearched his mou:h , was a Presbyterean Horfe Dottour , prepared on purpofe by yongue Sir JOHN for that very end , who difcovered t: your L. only the upper part ofhis fore teeth, whercas were his mouth but fearched by an Independans Farrier , he would difcover befides thofe in the hinderpart of his Cla:iicall lawes ; hisGreat Iron Fangs , as great and terrible as there in {poaken of by Daniell cap.7.7. And as for the good fervice in thofe Enmity mentioned that he performed in his Roade from Scotland » feemes it

a. or

was foo good, that the Prifoners there care for no mare of his prifon :

[254 |

Ad The Araignencent of Perfecution.

for ifhe mumbie us thus with hisyexgue fizall Presbyterian Pegges, what bloody

matlacrie, wharcruell crufhing of bones, r.nding . tearing and devouriagof ficth’, muft we expect , ifyour Lordship permit him the ufe of his dread full devouring Tuskes, hishuge monfterous iron Fangs , burl hepe your Lordithip will frit grant him the favour of an Independant Tooth-drawer, and then weé fhall not greatly teare his Gummes : And conc. ruing the Mickle Armie , my Lord, you may perceive how they would bind ycur hands from the execution of juftice by the force of Armes , as though the wifedome of this Court were to be inflaved to fuch finifter refpects ; my Lord, it is highly deregatory to your Honour,and here are fufficient English Evidence, to prove this old feducer, to be PERSECUTION himfelfe,as hath been m wnifeft before your Honour ;

let not the people be thus depriv'd of juftice, they did notin chufing your Lordship to this place, wherein you are, intend the makeing of themfelves

flaves in any the lea{t kind, to Synods, Sir Iobns, force of armes, or the like, or to pur

themfelves at fo vaft a diftance , asto make their addrefles to you , as to fome Dietie , but is their chufing of you, authorifed and enrrufted you , to vindicate and preferve their native and juft Liberties in generull , yea, and commonto them with your felfe: therefore you cannot without betraing this Truft , by any coerfive power fubject any of their confciences, perfons, or eftates ta any Ecclefiafticall Turisdiétion whatfoever : And now f{ceing this vile perfon at the Barre hath been legally mdiéted , araigned , and convitted , and thereby found an

Arch-enemie and Traytour to the peoples common Liberty and Safety, Indgement and Execution ought forthwith to paffe upon him accordingly, that this Hypocrizicall Pharifie, this blood-thirfty Cartffe , this long Gown'd Mounte-

bake one.with his fpirituall delufions may no longer cheate the world, ashe hath Hercupon the Court preceedeth to Iudgment.

Iudge. Make Proclamation. Crier. O——— yes, every man keep filence, EGe.

Iudge. With much patience this Court hath heard the feverall pleacs bes

twixtP ERS ECU LPION,and LI BE RT Y-OF-CONSCI ENCE

orged on both fides; having ferioufly weighed the fame in the Ballance of equity, hath found PERSECOTION and his Abettours with all their Pleas too light,even meere fubtile , airie , and empty delufions.: Itistherefore the Sentence of this Court concerning Sir Symon , and Sir Iohn Presbyter , who have thus Iefuitically endeavoured to pervert the juttice of this Court by their falfe, their fubtile , and Trayterows fuggeftions ir the behaif of thisnotorious bloody

/ MalefactourP ERSECUTION , that Sir SIMON be committed clof2 Prifoner to King Hemy the eight, 4 Chappell » there to be kept in Parlaunentory fafe cuftody

[255]

a A CR Eee etuteenesaraanenieeing _ The Araignement of Perfecution. _ 4s

cuftody, till the GREAT ASSISES, keld in the firft yeare ofthe RAIGN Eof Our Soveraigne LordC HRIST, (when the Kingdom, and th-greatnes of the Kings dome under the whole Heaven shallie given to the Saints of the moft High) there,

and then to be Araigned with the reft of his Holy Tribe, whether Visiverfall, Nattonall , Provinciall , or Confiftoriall Counfels , or Synrds whatfoever., before his Highneffe the KING OF KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS. I. Reaf. Ard my Lord , inthe me.ne time to keep his Holineffe in action, I befeech ycur Honour, that he may Synodicate a full Refolution to thefe en-

fuing Queries. 1. Whether it doth notas much conduce tothe Subjeéts Liberty ftill to be Subjected to Epifcopall ufurpation, as to be given over to Preslyterian cruelty ?

2. Whether it would not been more profitable fer the Kingdome of Engs land, to have forthwith hired a Coach and twelve Horfes to have fet a Direttory from Scotland, then to have {pect the learned canfuleations, pious debates , and facred

conclufions of fuch an holy, fuch.a reverend, fich anheavenly, fuchagodly,fuch a

learned, lucha pious » luchagrave, fucharife, fucha follid, fuch a difcreete fuch a fpirieuall , fuch an.euangelicall , fuch an infallible , {uch a venerable , fuch sper celeftiall Quire ef Angels, {uch a fuperlative Affembly of Divines for

almoft thefe two yearesfpace , after the profufe and vaitexpence of above fourty thoufand pounds, betides their goodly fat Benefices, upon their devouring

Guts, foranEnglsuh DIRECTORY of worthip equivolent to thie Scorch

DIRECTORY?

3. Whether this Dire“tory ftanding in fo many thoufands to fumble it toe gether, and the Copy fould at 400. and jo. /. be not of more value then the Writinges of the Prophets and Apoftles. 4- Whether St. Peters Chae doth not becomme a Preslyter, as wellasa isbop ? 5. Whether the late divine Ordinance for Tythes , Offerings , Oblations’, and Conventions be not better Gofpell, and inall Presbyterian wiftdome to be

preferred and ptovided before the Direétory for the worship of God? .

O Cives, Cives, querenda pecunta primum , th ot 4 J af

Vareus of nummos. ¥ |

Judge. And as for Sir IOHN PRESBYTER, this Court hath Voted him44.4 $-

to the uncleare, filthy, impious, unholy, darke, and worldly Dungeon, called ef " IVRE HVMANOfthere with Arch-Bishops, the Grant Chaines Af Presbyters, his Fore-fathers, tobe fatboundBishops, with the&c. Majefteriall o. humaine Lawes, Ordsnances, Edits ,&c. andin themto be keptin fafe cutton- J z ad dv till theaforefaid great Affifes, in the Raigne of our Soverargne Lord Chrilt 4 ee f there , and then ro be brought forth to the Tryall of thar Great and terrible et} (AALS

DAY. Now to the Prifoner. ‘Gausnet } PERSECUTION, houldupthy hand : Thou haft been Indicted , thot —

G 3 and °

[256] , EE an 46 The Araignement of Perecution.

and Araigned ofemnity again& God and all goodnes, of Treafons, Rebellion» Bloodfhed,&c. and for thy tryali haft put thy felfe upon thy Countrey,which Countrey have found thee culty, and to award the Sentence of death, from paffing upon thee,thou haft had the liberty this Court in juftice could permit,

to.make thy defence : we have heard thne allegancns, evafions, the

P] - ° . co, _—

Reafonsand Pleaes of thy Defendarts , to whom was piven all freedome of Defence could be dered, allo We have heard the diftracted jubiraine me-= diation of ].Conformiry in thy behal fe,yet notwith{tanding all that can be made

for theé, thy Built is fo palpably apparant and groffe , that all the fubtilety, craft, and po iy thou-and thy Cnfederares can devife , cannor obfcure thee from the cye of juftice : for this Court upon thy tryall, hath found out thy villany, Treafon, and Bloodshed , and how thou art guilty of all that is laid to thy charge: Therefore the Sentence of chis Court is,that thou fhale returne

to theEplace from whence thou cameft, wit, the noyfome, and filthy CAG of every uncleane and harefull Bird,tothe CLERGIE of Chriftendome, thete to be faft bound with Inqusfitton,Synoddicall,Clafficall, Pres{t bitter-all Chaines

untill the Appearing of that Great and terrible ludze of the wholeEarth, who fhall cake thee alive, with Sir SY MON, and hisSonSir ] OHN, and caft thee with them and their Confederates into, rhe LAKE of fire and brimftone, where the Bealt and the Falfe Prophet are, there to betormented day and night for ever, and ever. Revt9.1.2.3. And after thefe things I heard a great voyce of mutch people in Heaven,

Sajing, Allelujah : falvation and glory, bonour and poner, tinto the Lord our God : ,

For true and righteous are bis judgments, for he bath judged the Great Whoore,which did corrupe the Earth with her Fornscation , and avenged the blood of bu fervants at ber band. Again they faid, Allelujah : And ber {moak rofe up for ever and evsr.

The POSTSCRIPT. Leaft the honeftinnocent Intentions of Yongue MAR TIN fhonld teceive fome Synoddicall misconftruétion, he defires ro be his owne Interpreter concerning fome patlayes, and fog the reft he

leaves tothe fire of the priblicke cenfure. Now whereas his Licence may fem to bean immitation of av Order of Parliament, it is only to fhew the oftent:tion, pride, and v..ine elory of the boa= fting Presbyters. And whereas he afcribeth many Epithites.as divine, holv,&c. tothe Ordinince for Tythes, they are not intended in derifion to the Parliament , or to any of rheir Lawes, Statutes, or Ordinances whatfoever , butare ufed inthe fence of Presbyterian acceptation , and of rhe reve-= rend eftimiition they would perfwade us of thee above any other whatfoever. Andthe ufe of the lare League and Covenant, is likewife only in the Presbyterian fence, fimply refpefting that Tribe,

according to Edwards Interpretation thereof. Hone MARTIN would not be miftaken , he is no ¢rnemic to the unity of che rwo Kingdomes in Crvill League and peace, but itis his hearts defire and pr-yers that not only they , bur that all rhe Nations of the Earth were fo inthemfelves and one wich another. And forthe Advance of the Scots,that is ufed only to fhew, how thofe Presbyterian Tefuites would make that, which the two KingJomes intend forthe common good,to be perverted

| C nest ap

only to tle Advance of their Perfecuting Faction : And this MAR TIW prociaimes to be his @Wo genuine meaning.

FIN I S.

av? volo af Sr OT a

rads Ghia ep nafs ofan f tfhd ffyak

avsfher’) brigd) |3-26-27-285 C=

| [JOHN LILBURNE] ENGLANDS BIRTH-RIGHT JUSTIFIED . 1645 Englands Birth-Right appeared anonymously in London in 1645, without license, imprint or separate title-page. The Preamble in Thomason’s copy, now in the British Museum, appears opposite page one, which bears the title. On the blank recto of the page bearing the Preamble, Thomason wrote “Supposed to be Lilbournes or some friends of his. London 8ber [October] 1645.” The anonymous author of Regall Tyrannie discovered (January 6), 1647, probably Lilburne, seems to throw some doubt on Lilburne’s authorship of Englands Birth-Right, but the statement appears purposely ambiguous and is insufficient to upset Thomason’s attribution, supported as it is by the impression created by the work itself. This was probably printed at the secret press with which Overton himself had some connection. Joseph Hunscott, an agent of the Sta-

tioner’s Company, testified in his Petition and information ... to Parliament against divers scandalous Libels and treasonous Pamphlets (June 11), 1646, that he had seized the press in Goodmans Fields at which Englands BirthRight was printed, and connected William: Larner with the printing of that and other scandalous pamphlets. See Volume I, pages 76 ff.; and also H. R. Plomer’s “Secret Presses during the Civil War,” in The Library, Vol. V (Second Series). The text is here reproduced from a copy of the original edition in the

library of the Union Theological Seminary, collated with another copy in the Union Seminary and with a photostatic print of the copy in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum. The Preamble in the Union copy has been misplaced by some later binder.

[258] . The PREAMBLE, to all the Free-borne People of ENGLAND.

m4 Bag Retbren and Fetlow-Commons ; God and the worldknowes, that che a @ well-affe&ted party of this Kingdome ( difcerned by their voluntary aide to che Parliament )having tryed all poffible and fair means,as much as any People for number and power of any Kingdom or Nation ever gid, by Prayers, Affiltance, C oncurfence,Atrendance,Petitions,Oblations, Informa tions; and DifCoveries,as well of Treafons, as of utter defolations, and perceiving themfelves now at laft to be in a far worfe condition, both in number.ind power (their Lives and Eitates,yea and precious time alfo being fo

far fpent chen they were at the firft;and befides,like to loofe all,and {carcely to have(or leav,) {0 ach as their Lives,Lawes,or Liberties for a prey. ‘And feeing, by manifold &les of grievous experience,that neither Petitions can beeafily accepted, juftice cruely adminiftred , che Preffes equally opened the cryes-of che poor heard, the teares of the oppreffed confidered, the fighes of che Prifoners regarded,the mi(eries of the widow and Facherleffe pittyed nor {carcely any that are in diftrefle relieved but Lawes any way wretted,mott of our freedoms reltrained, Ordinances,Proteftations, Oathes,

atd Covenants flighted, the hearts of all Eitates, King, Parliament, Prieft and People obdured, the wicked for the moft pare abfolved, the juft often= times conde+:n:d, and moft of all in Authority perjured,not only by brea king that folemne Gath,which themfelves did make,and com lling others ta.take,but nevercheleffe,by perfecuting thofe who make Conftience to keep itsevern becaufe they will not break it. In deep, fad, {erious,and lamentable confideration of all thefe grievous proceedings, and as much by feeling the

| fmart, as hearing, feeing or knowing the verity thereof,chiefly che Opreflions, taxations, Infurreétions, Rebellions,Prefecutions, Violences,R.obbeies, Sequefti‘ations,and Combuttions,I with my poor one Ta/ent,in ftead of him that hath Ten, ous of a dutifull and con{ciencious love,tender and pictifull refpect to my Natio#:, now in this her great defeCtion,and apparent defola‘tion, chiefly tor the remnant thereo{ who mourn infecret,both for her great abominations, fins,defolations,and their own particular tran{grefltons.and who. doubcleffe are marked to efcape the fury of Gods fearfull indignation; ) Have afed my beft endeavours here,both to fhéw the maladies and remedies of this fick,{wouning,bleeding,and dying Nation,that if Ged hath not

ordained it, Jike Babell,to fudden, inevitable and utter deltru&tion, itmay ye: be.cued, and a remnant referved, according to the Lords ufuall dealing in all his viications,remembring his tender compaflions and mercy,even in the midtt of his molt fearful judgements and feveritie, that in defpight of Sathan and all his inflynments, they may dee juftice and judgement, and

praife him in lincericy. Farewell.

t(,)'‘

L259]

Tae oh ak A ai oe tt at alah aaa AS a A hf , ENGLANDS BIRTH-RIGHT Jultified

Azainft all Arbitrary Ufarpstion, whether REGALL. or PAR~ LIAMENTARY, or under what Vizor foeven. With divers Queries , O>fervsstons and Grievaxces of the Peoples declaring this Parliaments pre‘ene Procecdings to be directly cone

trary to thole ftindamentall Principles, whereby cheir Ationsatfirlt were juttifyable againit che Kung , in their prefent [legall dealings wich thofe that have been cheir beit' Friends, Advanicers and. Prefervers :And.in other thingsof high concernment to the Freedim: of all the Free=born People ot England 3

By a Well-wihher to the tut caufe tor which Lieutenant Col.

JOHN LILBURN Lis iunjuily imprifoned.

_in Now-gote Deby. 16) 5'—

In the 150. paze of the Bookecalled, An exaf Colleftion of the Parliaments Renronitrances y Declarations ,. &c. publifhed

, by.fpectall Order of the Houlé.of Canemuns, March 2 4. 1642. | - wedind there a Queftion anfwered, fie for all men ta cake notice wftn thefe fad times; . which followeth.

Quelt. Ow in our cxtreame diftrattions , when forraigne fore

| | ces threaten,und probably areinvited 5 and amalig: | mant.and Pop:{b party at home offinded, The Deyil

bath caft i and vais’d a Cnteflation the KING ~PARLLAMENT touching the MILITIA,betwen Hi Mdajeftie claims and the difpofing of it to be in H'm by the right of Laws Zhe Parliament faith, Rebus fe ftancibus; avd nolenti Rege, the Ordering of it is in them ? Anfoo$rp$gHich Queftion,may receive its folution hy this di= Ww = ftinétion. That there is in Lawsan cquitable, and a x ge licerall fenfe. His Mateltie let it be granted ) is ing. Fbb:bd+$ crufted by Law with the Ailitiz, but icis for che good and prefervation of the Republick, againft Forraign Invafions or domeftick Rebellions. For it cannot be fuppofed that the Parliament would ever by Law intruit the King with. the Adilitia againk themfelves, or the Commen-wealth,that intrufts them to provide for their weal,n-ot for their woe. So that when: thereis certaine ap-

A. pearance,

[260] : (2)

pearance or grounded fafpition, that the Letter of the] aw fhall be improved againit the equitie of ic Cchat is, the publick good , whe« ther of the body reall or reprefentative)chen the Commander going apainitics equity, gives liberty to the Commanded to retule obedi= enceto the Letter: tor the Law taken abitra&t trom s originall reafon and end,is made a fhell wichont a kernell, a fhadow without a

{ib:ance,and a body wichout a foul. It is the execution of Laws accoi ding to their equity and resfor, which (as I may fay) is the {piric that gives life co Authority che Letter kills.

Nur need this equity beexpreiled in the Law , being fo naturally | implyed and fuppoted in all Laws that are noe meer'y Imperial], from that Analegie which all bodics Pelitick hold with the Naiurall; whence all Government and Governours borrow a ptoportionable reipe€t; And therefore when the AZi/iti2 of an Army is come mitted to che Generall, icis not with any cxrrefle condition , chat he (hall not turn the mouthes of his Cannons againtt his own Scul~ diers,for that is { naturally and neceflarily implyed , thacics needIeffe to be expreffed,infomuch as if hedid attempt or command fuch

a thing againit che nature of his trut and place, it did pf: facto eftate the Army ina right of Difobedience,excepe we think that cbe-

dience binds Men to cut their owne throats, or at leaft their companions. And indeed. if this diftinétion be not allowed, then the legal] and mixt Monarchy is the preateit Tyranny; for if Laws inveit the Kingin

an ab{clute power, and the Letter be not controlled by the equity, then whereas other Kings that areabfolute Monarchs, and rule by Will and not by Law.are Tyrants pertorce. Thole that rule by Law, and nutby Will, have hereby a 7)r2:zy confer’d upon them legal’y, and fo he very end of Laws , which is to give bounds and limits to the exorbicant wills ot Princes,is by the laws themfelves difappoinred,for they hereby give corroboration (and much more tullificat'cn) tu an arbitrary Zyraz.2y,by making it levall, not aflumed ; which Laws are ordained co croffe,not countenance : and theretore is the Letrer ( where ic feems abfolure ) alwayes to receive qualification from theequicy.elie the forefaid ab urdicy muit follow. So farre the Parliaments own words. It is contefled by all rational] men,that the Par/iament hath a por werto annulla Law, and to make a new Law,and to declare a Law, but

: C3),

[261]

but known Laws in force & unrepealed by them, are a Rule( {0 long asrthey fo remain )for all the Connons oi Englandwhereby to walk;

_ and upon rationall grounds is conceived to be binding to the very Parliament themielves as wellas others. And thosigh by their legiflative power they have Authority to make new Laws,yee no free-man ot England is to take notice(cr can he uf what they intend till chey declare it: neither can they, as is conceived, juitly punifh any man

for walking cloiely to the knowne and .declared Law, though it

croffe ‘ome pretended Priviledge of theirs, remaining onely in their own breaits. For where there is no Law declared, there can be no tranfpre{fion; therefore ig is vey requifice,chac the Parliament would declare their Priviledges to the whole Commons of England, that fo no man may through ignorance (by the Parlizments default) run caufelefly into the hazard of the loffe ot their lives , liberties , or eftates : for here it is acknowledged by chemfe ves , that their Power is limited by chofe that betruft chem; and chat they are not to doe what the ‘Jiit,buc what chey ought, namely to provide for the peoples weal

and not for their woe : fo that unknown Priviledges are as dangereus,as unlimited Prerogatives,being both of them fecret {nares,efpe-

' dally for the beft affe&ted pzople. Icis the greateft hazard and danger that can be run unto, to difare the onely known and declared Rule ; the laying afide whereof brings in nothing but Will and Power,luit and ftrengcth, and fo che ftronget to carry all away;for itis the known, eftablifhed, declared, and unrepealed Law, that tells all che Free-men of England, chat the Knights & Burgefles chofen according to Law, and fent to make up the Parlzament, are thofe that all the Commons of England(who -

fend and choofe them) are to obey. ]

But takd away this declared Law:and where will you find the rule of Obedience? and if therebe no rule of Obedience, then ic muft ne-

ceffarily follow, that if a preater‘and itronger number come to a Parliament fitting, and tell them that they are more and ftronger then themfelves,and therefore they fhall not make Laws for them, but they will rather make Laws tor them, mutt they not needs give place ? undoubtedly they mult. Yea,take away the declared, unrepealed Law , and then where is

2 AW

kdenm & Tuam, and Libertie, and Propertie? But you will fay the

[262]

(4)

Law declared, binds che Peeple, but is no rule for a Parliament fit-

ting,who are not tu walke bya knowne Law. It is aniwered: Ie eannot be imazined that ever the People would be fo frttifh,a to gree fuch @ Power to thofe whom they choofe for their Servants; tor this were to give chem a Power to provide tor their woe, but not for their weal, which is contrary to their own foregoing Maxime;therefore doubi{effe char man is upon the moft folid and firm ground,chae hath boch the Letter and equity of a known, declared, and unrepealed Law on his fide, though~his pra&tile doe croffe tome pretended Priviledge of Parliament, And whereas by an A€tmade this prefent Parliament, Anno 17.

| Caroli Regisjintitled,

An Aét for Regulating of the Privie Counfcll, and for taking away the Court,commonly called, The Star-Chamber.

‘Ic is there declared, That che Proceedings, Cenfures and Decrees of the Star-Chamber,have by experience been found to be an intollerable burchen co che Subje&, and che means to intrudire an

Arbitrary Power and Government, and that the Councell-Table have adventured to determin ofthe E-tates,and Liberties of the Subje&t, contrary co the Law of theLand, and the Rights and Priviledves of the Subje% Which Laws are chere recited,as firlt AZ zgr2

Carta, and the 5. E23. 9.and 25. Ed3.4.and 28. E7.3.3. the lait of which faich, Thac ic is accord-d,aflenzed, and eftablifhed,that none

fhall betaken by Petition, or inggettion made to the King or His Cozncell,unleffe tc be by Indictment , or prefentment of good and lawfull people of the {ane neighbourhood , where fuch deeds be done; in due manner_or by Proceffe made by Wric originall ac che Common Law, ant chac none be pat out of his franchile or Freehold, unleffe he be duly brouzhce in,co anfwer , and fore-judzed of the fame by the courfe of the Law; and by another Statute made in

the 42.E4.3 3.ic is chere inacted, Thac no man be put to aniwer without prefentment before Juttices,or matter of Record,or by due

Proceffe and Writ original! , according cto the old Law of the Land. Therefore for the Subiects gard and welfare tn future time, it is Tnacted, Thit from hencefirth no Court,Gouncell,or place of Judicatuyre thall be erected, ordained,con'titnted, or appoinred within titis Realme of Exglaed,or dominion of Walesywhich ihall have,ufe,

or

5)

[263]

or exercife the famey or the like jurifdiction » asis, or hath Been wed practifed,or exercifed in the {aid Court of Sta. Chamber sthat then wh oever fhall offend,or doe any thing contrary coche purport, true Incent and meaning of this Law, then he or chey {hall for fach ofence, forieit the Sun of five hundred pounds of Lawful! moe ney of Exgland,unto anv party grieved, his Execurois or Admini» {tracors, who fhall really profecute the fame,and firit obtaine udgé~

ment thereupon, to be recordedin any Court of Recerd at Weft. minfter-by Action of debt, Bill, Plaine or Information , wherein ‘no Effoine, Protection, wager of Law,aid, Peaver,Priveled ge,Iniuncti-

onor Or ter of Reltrainr thal! be in any w:yes prayed, granted, or allowed, nor any more then one imwarlance, &c. Andthe Pefition of Right, which may be {aid to be more then a bare Law ( for icisa Declaration of the ezity,crue intent and meaning of AMagn2 Carta, ) and other the guod Laws of the Land, which provides for the peoples freedome (and binds all,as well che cru:ted,as thofe thac cruit ) as appeares in the Parliaments, Prayer to che King, which is, Thae

no Free-man hereafter be ufed contrary to what is before expre( fed &c. which they fay is the Rights and liberties of the Free- men of England. unto which the King anfweres, Let Right be dune accore ding to the Lawes and Cuftomes of the Realme; But this Anfwer admicting ftill a Difpute what was she true intent and meaning of the Lewes and Cuftumes of the Realm. They Petition the King again to give a more full & fatistactory ane {wer, which hed=th, and faith, Let Right be doneyas in the Petition ss defired; and amongft other things there exprefled,it is declared to be contrary to law,toimprifon a man without caule {kewed or expreffed, and alfo that it is contrary to Law, to force a man to antwer to Queftions concerning himfelf,or for refufall, to commit him to prifon. So far their oven words:And therefore it were well chat both Par-

liament-Committees,and all County-Committees.and cther Magiftrates in chis Kingdom would compound wich all chofe honeftand Free-men that they have at their own Wil.s unjuitly commited to Prifon contrary co the true meaning of this Law,befcre by the fentence of the Liw they be forced to pay 5ool.to every man they have fo uniuiily Imprifoned. From the equity and letter ofwhich Lawes , iris defired that our lear ned Lawyers would Anfwer theteinfuing QUERIES.

A 3 1. Whe

[264]

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1. Whether the Lever and equity of this Law doe not binde she vee ry Parliament them‘elves, during the time of their fitting , in the like ¢ jes beré expreficd, to the fame Rules bere laid downe ? Which if ig [biuld be denied, Then 2. Woether the P.srliament it felf, when it o fitting, benot bound to whe vbfervation of the Letter and equity of thx Lav, when they b sve to doe with Free-men, that in all tbeer aCtio us and expreffions bave declas red faitbfulneffe to the Comamon-wealth ? And if this be denied; Then 3. Whether ever Grd made any min law-leffe ? Or whether ever the Comm m- wealth, when they choofe the Parli.zment, gave them 4 lawleffe

unlimm'tred Power, and at their pleafure to w lke contrary to their own Lams ond Ordinances befare they have repealed them ? 4. Whether it be according ta Law, Fufticeyor Equity, for the Papa liament.t-Imprifon er punafh aman for d ing what they command him, and by Outh ingayne bim ?

5. Whether it be leg all, 72 or ogu all, that wher Free-men doe en« desvour according to their duty, Oath, and Proteftationy to give in Inq

formation to the Parliament of Treafon ated and done by Sir John Lenchall, againft the State and Ke2gdome, and long fince communica= ted to feveral Afembers of the Houf: of Conrnon'sbut by them concealed ana {mothered ; and now by Gids Providence brouzht upou the faze a= gaine,and during the time that Inquifition 1 made of it before the Committee of Excsmizatim, before any legall chavge be fixed upon Sir John Lenthall, or bere quired to mske any Anfwer or D-fence, thst be fozk be prefent to ont-f2-v, difcourage,and abule the Informers and Witneffes in the face of theCommittee, without any check or coxtrell from thene ? And fometimes, while they are fitting about the Examination of bis Tresfor, thst bes sll fit down beftde ther with bis hat on , as if be were one of themyend th st be {ball injay from the Gomnittee ten times more faq our and re[pect, then the jut, honeltyand leg el Infermers againft him ; gobo by fame of the Committees themfelves, while they are fitting y are

shreatned , jesred , nick-named and orberwayes moft (bamefully a= bufed.

a andthe friends of the Laformers for the State are kept without doores,and the friends of the eccufed admitted to come in-alwayes with-

out control, and during the Exantinationof the Information, that the Committee fall refufe to remrve toe Infinmers out of Sir John Lens challs-caftody of Kings-bench,to azother Prifon, alshough they bave bees

srasly

| [265]

(7)

stuly informed, that he hath fet I. firuments on werk to murtber them, and allo importuned to remove thum.

6. Wheiber it keno: m ft agreeable to Lun, Fuftice and Equity, that

feeing Sir John Lenthall, baving fo mury frinds in th H ufe concer ned in the bufinefle, that be ft ould net ra:ber be tried by the fame Coun cell of Warre in Loi dor .n hire Sir John Hutham and bi Sexme meres

then at th Parliament bis principall crime Leang aganfi the Liw Mar(hall as theirs wa? 9. Whetbr to a fn er to an Ii-ditiment, wken a man is demanded Guihy -r not Gailtyben t a criminall Interr gaiuiy, concerning a mans felfe, and lo a man nut by law bound to Anfvver to it, efpecially feeing to

a Cenfcrenctom man, who dare not lieit is a griat {nare, whe if be be inditted of a thing be bath dine cr frok. nydar. not plecd, Nit Guilty for feare of lyirg, and if be plead yuiltyy be fball bee: me a felf-dift -yer(c n= trry to the law of N ture, which ieacheth a man to prefervebut ror den ftroy bimfelf ) n declaring tha: which persdventure all bis Adve fartes spould never be ab’e to prove ugain{t him. And

Whether it be not mre fuitable and agreeable to the true intent of Maena Carta ( exprefled in the 28 Chup. thereof) where it ts faid,

No Pailiffe from hencefcrth frail put any man to his open Law,nor to an Oath upon his ¢wne bare faying, without farchfull Witncfles brought in for the fame, and to the tiue intent and mean‘1g of the Petition of Right,and the Act made this prefent Parliament for the abolifting the St2r-Chamber,enc. For a free-anan to have a charge laid againf him, ard bis Adverfaries brought face to face to prove it, and then the Accufed to have liberty 10

, make the beft de'ence for bimlelf he an, which was the pratiife among ft

the very Heathen Romans,who had no light but the Aght of Nature to , gvide them, Act.25.16. Yea, Chrift himfelf. when his enemies endeavenred to catch him by Interr gatories she puts them oft,withoutran Aniwer. Luke 22.67, 68. 70. Chap. 23.3.

Yea, hen the High Pref asked him abcut his Tifciples . arc bis Doccrine Fe an wers, Bee ever taught openly, and therefcre fab he, Why aske ye nee ? ash ihm ibat heard me.for thy kn.w wbat I faid,

Jchn 18 26,21. |

Fence ‘ultly it is cenceived, that tke Parlicment ray not cone demnc that man for conumning then Auchoritie, ub reiufeth to an. wer

[266]

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anfwer to Interrogatories betore chem’ che fupreame Court, who aniwereth co Interrogatories in the like cafe before an interiour Court , but you will fay, ic is che ufuall practife of the CO Me

| MON-LA W, che Quettion is , whecher that prattife be juft geno? or whether any Law in pra&tile in the KINGDOME ot England doth binde the Free-men thereof, put what is made and declared by Common Confent in Parliament? and whether or no is there, or ought there not to be a plaine platforme agreed on, and laid down by the'Parliament concerning things of fo high cons ~ fequence co all che Corhmons ot Exg/znd? and teeing the Parlia~ ment hath taken care chat the Bible fhall be in Englifh, that fo Ezye men(as they call chem) may read it-as well as the Clergy,ought they

not alfo to be ascaretull, that all the binding Lawes in England be in Englit likewile , chac to every Free-man may reade ic as well.as Lawyers (feeing they, have Lives, Libertics and Eftates ag

well as the other) and peaceably enjoy them no longer chen they continue in the obfervation of the Laws of this Kingdom’; whereof they are Members: and feeing the Lawyers are fo full of broyles and _ contentions, and grow fo rich and great thereby;have not the peodle caufe co beleeve chey drive on an Interelt of their owne , diltruBiive to the Peoples well-fare; yea juggle,and put falfe glofles upon the Law (meerly) for their own ends:Seeing {0 great a part of it is in an unknown tongue,(which the Commonscall Pedlers-frexch,or Heathen- Greeke, ) even as our State Clergy did in the daies of old, before the Scripture was colferated to be in Englifh, in which dayes they could eafily nyake the poor people beleeve the Poopes unwritten veritics were as binding as Scripture Rules , which the Lawyers

have givers the Commons juft caufe tofear, is their prefent practife wich law Cafes; many of which are befides the Rule of the Statute-

: law, and alfo againft Juftice,Equity and Confcience, tending to no

: | to

other end, but to inflave the People ? 8. B betber it be not juft andequall, that feeing Monopolifers were ‘brown out of the Houfe about Foure yeeres agoe , as infringers upon the

Common right of all the freemen of England, in fetting up Pattents of Soape, Sale, Lether,&c. why (bould not thofe be partakers of the fame juftice now, that have been chief flicklers in fetting up greater Paten~ tees then ever the former were ?

_ As firft che Patent of ingrofling the Preaching of che Word only

| [267] £9) os . tofich men as weare Black and rough garments 6 deceige,Zecb.19 4. and haye hada Cannonicall Ordination frsni the Bithops, arid fo from the Pope, and, confequently from the Divell , although che Spiric of God doth command every man that hath received a..gift, te minif er the fame ove to another, a good Stewards of the manifold

graceof God,s Pet. 2051 I. |

And alehough ignorance and blindnelle be {O1miverfell-ail over the Kingdome,experience teaching, that where: that nrolt abounds they draw their fwords foonelt againft the Parliament dnd Conymen-wealch ( and fo confequently againit thentfelves,. and comtinue = the longeft in their Rebellion, as now wee have-woehiill experjence, yet thefe grand Monopolizers will ncicher goe amongit them ehem~felves, nor fuffer others without fevere punifhment tg inftruct and teach theny the Principles of Chriftianity,or Moralliry, by means of

which they become deltrpyers and murderers of foules and bodies,’ and enemies to the very Civill fociettes of Mankinds The fecond Monopoly is the. Paeenc of Aderchsnt Adventiy crs,

who have ingrofled into their hands the fole trade of.all.woollen Commodities that are to be fent into the Netherlands, the mii¢hicvoulnefle you may at Linge read in a late dilcourfe confi{ting of mo- , tives for the inlargement and. freedoiie of trate , efpecially that-of Cloagh, & other woollen manufactures ingroffed ae‘prefent contfato the law of Nature, the law of Nagions, andthe lawes of this: Kingdome, by acompany of privare men,who- tik chemtelves Afer~ chant Adventurers, the firft part of which Difcourte Cchp fecond, be~ ing not yet come out ) are to be fold by -Svepher Bésbrell ia -Papeshead~shey. Wook being the ftapell Commioditie of the Kingdome,

and freee by the lawes and Conttitucions of the land, foe afl the Free-men of Englund to trade in. 12. H.6. 6. and 2 +.13vtheinjoyment of which is fo effentiall a Privilédge ta all dre Commans of England,that whofoever gives it from them, and-by any prevended Patent or Authority-whatfoever, aflunes it to chemfelves,areas an!pable of -thegreatelt of paunifaments whatfoever, as thofe. that ard guilty of Robbing the Free-men of Exgland,. of theis bisth-righe arid’ Inheritance,and yet che prefent Farmers of the Cofignie Fleufe, and their Affociates.are guilty of this capital ‘crime, for-if: Nebasih would not pare with his Vineyard C which was his Inheritance}, to. the King, ale hough he would hays Piven him as much mancy as ic Was

[268] |

( 10 ) | was worth, or a better for it,1 King.21.2, there is no reaton why the free men of Exzgland thould have foyreat a part of their Birthright,asthis is, caken from them by force and violence, whether they will or uo, ascheir multitude of Petitions co the Parliamene yet unan{wered, doe declare. Thechird 24,nopaly,is chat infaTerable , unjutt and tyrannical Moncepoly of Printing, whereby a great company of the very fame

Malignant fellows that Caneerbary and his Malignant party engaged in their Arbitrary Defigzes, againtt boch the Peoples and Pure fi.zments juit Priviledges (who turning with every winde,doe endeavour by all peffible means, as well now as then , to fell and betray the Kingdome for their own gaine, ) are invelted with an Arbitrary unlimmitted Power, even bya general! Ordinance of Parliament,

to print, divulge and dilperte whatfoever Books Pamphlets and Libells they pleafe,though they be full of Lyes, and tend to the poyfoning of the Kingdom with unjult and Tyrannicall Principles.

And not only fo, bat moit violently ( even now in Parliament time, which Should be like a cryed Faire,and each one free to make the beit ule of their Wzre, both for the bublick, and their own private good )to fuppreffe every thing which hath any true Declaration of che jut Rights and Liberties of the free-borne people of this

Nation, and 20 brand and traduce all fuch Writers and Writings with the odious termes ot Sedition, Con(piracie and Treafon, but to countenance and auchorize fuch as fhall calumniate them, and fo both accent & reward {ich men far better then their moft faithful] fervants and belt advancers,tult as the Bifhops formerly did againtt both the S:otr, and the Parliamenc thennfelves.

They due not rett here neither, butare yet further authorized with a gemerall Ordinance of chis very Parliament, contrary co all

Jaw, justice, equity and reafon, under pretence of fearching for {candalaus Books, to call numbers of deboylt m2n wich Smiths and Conttables, yea and the trained Bands alfo ( when they pleafe ) to affitt chem,and in moft bold and tamultaous manner to break open and rifle, even the Parliaments owne (in all their greateft dangers, troubles 8 diftreffes )molt faithfull friends Houfes, Chetts, Truncks

, ave

and Drawers; and from thence to rob, fteale, and tellonioufly to carry away fuch of the Poffelfors proper goods,choice Linnens,and

belt things, as they pleale,as well as Books newand old, after icy

[269] (13 3 have put the owners themfclves ouc ot doors , and con:manded Constables to carry them before a Committee, and from thence to Prifon.

Where they may without any confideration rote, if they will not either betray both a good Canle, and fome-other of the ParJiamients belt friends, when chey had few others , or elfe fubmiit to

their unjutt lawes; befides,it.is a common thing for fuch lawleffe men to breakein, and {earch honeft mens fhops , when neither the

owners nor any of theirs are prefeatto fee what bufineffe. they

~ have there.

And yet as unjuftly as all the reft , they doe not onely allow. the weekly printing, divulging and di{perfing of Oxford Aulicus, and o~ ther Malignant Bocks and Pamphlets, tending to the ruine both of the Kingdome and Parlizments Priviledges, but Hkewile: the fending

of Printing matteriails to the King , whereby to Print down both Power of Parlfament,and frecdome of People. All which unjutt dealings coe come to pafle allo with the privicy of the Mafters and Wardens of the Stutzoners. Company , as was o~

penly proved to their faces at -their publick Hall ; who.therefore like wife men perceiving-the Plague afarre off,would not goc-on ttill and be punifhed,but mott cunningly, both to hide chemfelves, and

their treachery againft the well-atletted party, and divide their {poile, fo unjuftly cbtained by lying it. waite for bload, they have now procured by vhis their good fervice ta the Parliament(ag they did to the Bifhops.) the forme or power of a Statgorer-Commitice in Londow among themfelves, that they may henceforth withcus cither Cenfure or Refiitance- of Higher Powers both abfolveche wicked,and condenine the jult, and fo doe whatfoever they lift. The next AZon poly, ic is to be feared will beupon Brezd-and Beere,

for as juftly may there be a Monopoly upon thenyy .as upon

the former. Oh Englifbmen! Whereis your treedoms? and what is become

of your Liberties and Priviledges that you have been fighting.for all

this while, to the large expence ot your Bloods and Eftates, which , was. oped would have procured your Jibertier and freedomes? bui rather,as fome great oncs Order it, ties you fafter in bondage: and {lavery, then before; therefore look about you betimes, before tt be

B 2 curfe

too late; and give not occafior to you Children yet unborne to

_ [270] (12 ) ourfe you, for making them flaves:by your covetonfnefle, cowardly bafenefle, and faint-heartednefle; therefore upras one mfan,-and in

a juft and tegall way that hee is 2 debter to doe the whole law,yea faith he,Chri(t ss become of none ef~

fe& to fuch a man, fo fay1, Heethat compells you to pay Tythes, compels you to keep the whole law,which whofoever goes about to doe,is fallen from Grace. Gahs.4.Again,the rayment of. Zythes is an unjuft and unequall ching in a Civill fenle, for that the Priefts,who

"are not one fora thoufsnd of the refl of the Inhabitants in the Kingdome fhould have the tenth part, yea, or rather the feventh part of all things a man hath ( faving his Children ) confidering that they never labour for it with their hands,hor earneit with the {weat of their browes, nor beftow any kind of Charges, is the moft unjut thing in the world, and'{0 intolerable oppreffing a burthen, that the Free-people of England arenot able fo beare it, as the Petitions prefenced by divers perfons already to the Honfé., and thofe many Petititions that are in agitation borhin the City of Londyz, and many Shires in the Country doe and will fully declare. A fecond ching {worne to in the Covenant, as other branches. of

B3 Popery

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(14) Popery is, fo root out and exte*pate Prelacy ( as there it is expreited, 4 + _ Cherch- Government by Archbifbops , Bifbops , their Chancellors and ws wry, Commnt flartesy Deanes,fith-Deanes and Co apiters, Archdeacons, and all .) / + ether Ezclefesfticsll Offtzers depending on that Hierarchy, ) and yet the

_—_ fame men have eltablifhed the Bifhop’s Prielts , and fervants, who have ny otl.* calling in the world whereby co ttand,but what they had from them, as both the Ordinance and the Priefts themfelves confeffe, and yet by vertue of this Papall, Prelaticall Call, they Inftitute and ordaine a Generation of Antichrifti az Officers, to fill the Kingdome ( contrary co che Coverzant) as fullof Popery and Popith Officers; as ever it was in the Bifhops. dayes : the drivers on of which defigne ( #f they bave t shen the Coven.wt,) are everyman of chem perjured. Buc you will fay though the Parliznent and Priefts acknowledge

rhe Bifbops to be Antichriltian, yet the prefent Priefts fay, they were not ordained by them as Bifhops, but as Presbiters, who had

their Calling from the Pope , not as a Pope, but as a Press byter.

» ° To which I Anfwer,the Devill was an Angel of Light,but is now pr a Devill; the queftion is, Whether now hee doth thofe actions that he dothas an Aagel of Light ,or as a Devill 2: Even fo, ( admit for Dilpurations fake only ic fhould be granted,) the Pope was once a Presbyter, butis now a Pope, Antichr ift, the man of finne, and fonne of

Perdition, as is confefled by the Priefts themfelves, The Queftion therefore co chem is,whether the Pope doch cheaétions chat he doth as.e Pres byter, or as thegrand Amichrift the Pope; againe, the Bithops,.as they themfelves confefle,are Avtighriftizn,and as Antichri-

fli hath petitioned againft them to this very Parliament, that fo they might be.extirpated root and branch..

The Quettion.now to the Priefis is, Whether the Bibops did thofe actions that chey did after they were made Bifbops, as Anti~ chriftian Bifbopyor as. JESUS CHRIST’S Presbyters ? and if they were Antichriftizn,then furely thofe that are made by them are the fame, and not in the leatt degree any better 5 for the Apoftle faith, Aicb.7.7. without all contradittion, the leffe us bleffed of the greater, therefore tor thefe men to fay, they are. better then-thofe that made zbem, is a meer rediculous foppery; Chrift himfelfe telling all {uch men, they are very fogiesy Mdatth.23.155375129x%C. Where in the Cale ike

(15) ,

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cafe hee faith unto the Scribes and Pharifces; Woe unfo you blinde guides, which fay, Whufoerver fball frware by the Temple , it 5 nothing, but whofoever {ball frreare by the gold of the Temple, bets adebter. Tee

fooles and blind : Far whether ts greater, the geld or the Temple that Sanktifierh thegold? aud whefocver {hall fwreare by the Altar, it i noshing, bat whofoever fwearcth by the gift that is upon it, bee ws guilty.

Tefooles and blind : for whether is greater, the gifts or the Altar that : fanitifieth the Gift.Who(oever therefore (ball fareare by the Altar,fnreaseth by it,and by all things thereon: and who fball fweare by the Tem= ple,fweareth by ityand by him that dwelleth therein: read likewife the 1 Cor.10.17- Hofea.9.4.

From all which places, to my underflanding , ie cleerly ap peares, that no man whatfoever can be inflated into any Oftice whatfoever by an Autichriftian Power, but his Funition isas Antichriftian as his that made him, for as Fares faith, chap. 3.41. Doth a fountaine fend forth at the fame place frveet water, and bitter ? therefore in the words of the Prophet Efai. chap.5.20. I fay,

spoe unto them that call evill good, that put darkneffe for lightyand light | for darkneffe, thst put bitter for freet, and {weet for bitter.

But if this be not enough to prove them Antichrifian, but that

yet they think the ftream of Presbyterian impofition of hands is run , to cleer from the Apoftles to the Pope,and trom the Pope to the Bi= Poy fe thops, and from the Bithops tothem, I would faine know of them /7)'” | how they will be able to prove, that it purely came through the hands of Pope JOANE , or where they will ever finde in the New Teftament, that ever a woman in their fenfe was a Presbyter, or ever laid her handsupon other Presbyters to ordaine thém. Thirdly, How they will be able to prove their fucceffion to come truly to them, feeing there hath been fometimes two Popes at ortee, bor gre

and fometimesthree, and each excommunicating the other as falfe, at we how they will be able infatibly co makeic appeare, that theit Ordination came from the trwe Pope, and not from the falfe? Or how out of the New-Tejtament they willever be able to prove, that a Bifhop, Paftor or Teacher, did ever lay hishands to ordaine another Bifhop,Paftor, or Teacher? and till the; be able fatisfa&torily to anfwer toall thefe Queries, I {hall account-them as Antichriftian as the Bifhops, and as papifticall asthe Pope himfelf, and every man a perjured man that hath taken the Covenane,that doth not camett~

y

[274]

| (26)

Ly endeavour to. éxtiepate androot them out, their power and Tne elt being (6 deltruative to thie Peace, Safety and Freedome of a Nation, as all ages; times.and places doe fully. declare where they have had footing; and this the L’ar/iaments owne Declaration, made. the Fifteenth day of December,1 6.42, doth cleerly hold out, which is. worth eyery true~hearted Englifh-mans ferious pernfall and Ob-

fervation.. _ , |

Inthe chird place, they {weare to preférve. the Liberties of the Kingdonie, and yet commit men to.prifon for ftanding for them,

witnelfe Lieutenant Colonell Lilbsurnes lying in New-ze'escommite ted, exiginaljy yo. mankaowes wherefore; and thofe that were'thte

- Aythors-of hisimprifonment, are afhafned to this day, to tell him for what. caufe they have committed him : And: because they would faine pick a hole in-his coat,they not onely keep his eftate fyom hin, but as.if they intended to deftroy him without remedy, doe. com=

mitchen him.te prifon, aGion indeed tendsth to Ho tees riine; , and lay. all thewhich Provécations and‘afpertions Aittr * which.

. none, before. Lo | 7 | they can devife againt hint in his Imprifonment Deca lnfe they had.

And then at their laft pineli, examine him upon Interrogatories.

at the Committee of Examinations, concerning hinielf; Chutt FiphCommiffion and Ster-Chamber-like, y and becantt he ftands npor his right, and the law of she Land,and will not amwer,they turnehim over to New-gete amongit Roagues and Cut-purfes, there to brand him with infamie as: much as in them lyech, chat {0 ic fhall neyer be takeir off ffom him as lotig-as-he Hees, and then to make Orders to arraigne hing at New gite Seffions, if they can devile.a critne,. and pet Lawyers to plead-againit hit, before shey have done fiim one | bit of jutig in belping him-tothe moneys they owe himy O Exgli(himen, what doe you think of the makers,and firftrakers

Religion? ee

of this Covenant, are forsed they pecinred yea or arenot youlike able'to difeerne'the bencfinaf Covenants, areno? they forced Tn the fourth Place,they fweare faithfully, 16 diftover all fach os Birve been, er {halt be Iucendiaries, Malignants , o-evbTefirnments al

gainft the pablick good, and mbut mifebief ibey are nos able in, their onbn parjons te fonpreffe or overcome, that they fhsi veveale ot sake knowne, that it may be timely prevented cr remedied ; all which they fweare to

dec,asin the fight of G OD, And -

: C45) . , [275]

And yet notwithftanding, alchough Lieutenant Generall Crone Cy well, according to his duty lang fimce, revealed the Earl of Afanchen flers treachery and bafeneffe ac Dennington Caltle, and other places, mn a and proved it punCtually by unqueftionable witnefles beforea Com

‘nnictee of che toute of Commnrons , and. betore hee could - perfect bis | charge, he was fent upon an unhopefull defigne with Sir. Wiliam Walle to-relieve Taunton with Horfe, although icbe an exceeding clofe inclofed Country, where a hundred foos may deale with a thoufand horfe.. ~ And.when he came back to Windfors he-was pofted away Uriabe Like,by {peciall command, with his owne Regiment of Harfe, to lie betwixt-Oxford aind Worcefter,cin the very-roade way of deftruétion, had not the Noble General! ( by GODS Providenve )- exceedingly

‘ftreigktned his. pare } and after that hee is, pafted trom place

place, and never fuffered'to come'to the Parliament fince , whereby

Manchefters treafon tics, as it were hid, dhivough it be more full} , proved (as fome of tlrat Heule have fince corifefled) then ever Strafe

fords was; and yet he is fuffered to atin allehe great defignes of the’

Kingdame,unto this prefent. , an , 7 2. Matter Aveffenden and Mr. Wolly, and divers others. € Gene | .

tlemen of quallity’) of the Conmmittée of Lincolne, in Antof,i644. >» y ¥ exibiced Articles of High-Treafon, and other hainous mifdemeanois Ce again{t Colonell Edward King, to the Houle.of Contmons: which: Articlés they have fince Printed and publithed to the view of che World ; yet can they not to this day get any hearing of them, that. fo they niay prove againit him what they aceufe fiim of , howbeit, alchough in their Fourthand Twelfel Artiéle , they accufe him of ' plaine High-Treafon,their owne words are as followeth’: As oO Article 4. When bee ( the [aid Colonell King ) was before Newarkes, be fent for a Captaine, who kept Crowland, who-okeyed:bis.commandy Jet fent word to bim of the danger that Towne warin, and therefore defie ned bis fecond pleafure which was,That he fhaield march;'who accordinge ly did; the Gentlemen of the Country fearing the enemy, procured Majer Lreton 10 fend a 100.Masketiers to keep'Crowland; which bee bearing “of, took ill, that withepnt-Orderfrom hims any [oould-come into-bis liber» ties, and commnded them. to be gone y who accordingly departeds ‘the enemy prefently furprifed the Fowne,and ithafe few that be bad lefz.in ity, by which meazes be betrayed tbe Towne unto the enemy , mbich was not

So G veg aii

[276]

(x3) regained withent much charge, bazad 5 and lofe of many wens lives.

Article the 12. That when the Enemy took Grantham, they being Seater from one part of the Town, wheeled about, to f2l upon the otber

Sideat a place called Spittle-gate , which Major Savill ( seing then Major of the Towne ) perceiving commanded Colonel! King( being then Captaine of a Company there )to march with his Company to.defend that pace, Colonell King anfa-ered, That he {corned to be commanded by him, aud rather then he would be commanded by him, be mould take bis compny, and let the enemy inte the Towne, and he delayed fo long before bee srould gce, that the enemy was enired at the faid Port before hee came thither, by which means be betrayed that Towne. Alto,

3. fobn Muferave Gentleman , hath complained to the Commons in this prefént Parliament againit Richard Berm Eig. Burgcfle for Cartile, and a Member. now fitting in the Houle of Come mons, and lately one of the Conmiilioners of Parliament for both Kingdomes,that at hisbeingat Edenborenah,he hel’ correfponden= cy with the Commiffioners of Array, both tor Weftmerland and

| Cumberland,and in his Twentieth Article againit him, he faich.Thze when the (aid Richard Parwis was at Sunderland, bée bad Intercour fe by Letters with the chief Delinquents in Cumberland , which were, efpecially Baronet Graham, Bromet Mulgrave, Bzronet Curwen , and

Sir Willfrede Law fon; and that the {sid Afr. Barwis Eftzte was en

tetied by means of fome of the forefaid Knights,during the time the King

had the Command of the North, and that Mr. Barwis was ax Inftrument in getting men nominated to be Committee-men for the Parlia~ ment, while they were in afusll Rebellion ag.ain{t the Parliament and Kingdome,and hath been an inftrumends in getting the Command of. both the farefaid Counties into the bands of thofe that alinslly have been in Armes, and committed treafon againft the Common-yealth , who a= bufe the honeft well-affcted to the Parliament there, as much as ever they were while tne King bid the Command of them : and thouzh complaint bath been made of all this to many of the Hoafe of Comnmns , and much more by Afr. Mulgrave, nd his partner, whe are (ent upto the Parliainent from the Country (as Commiffioners for that purpofe) yet they cane not be beard or finde any Jultice againft Agr. Barwis, and the other De~ binguents, by means whereof, both the Counties are in danger fbortly to be oft and de firoyed,

4 Some

[277]

| ( 19) 4 Some Gentlemen of the Bifhopricke of Darbm , long inve complained to divers Parliament men ot old Sir Heary Vanes wile full loofing and betraying their Country, betrg there Lord Lietitenant, but by reafon of his greatnefle could never behcard, but ia

: regard the fidbltance ot his charge iscome into my hands, from the hands of a Gentlemen of that Country now in London : have iae ferced here, chat you may read it as followerh, only with dchis can tion, that feeing in the Copy I took it out of, there were fome in-

rerlynings ac che laccer end chereet, that if a word fhould be di placed you would not therefore throwafide all che rett-ofic, for I

dare pawne my life, the fubitante ofit will be proved. The Militiz of the County of Darbam was intrufted with Sir HearyVane the elder,to whom fome Gentlemen of the-Country ge~ aired, and defired his care therein, which he omicting, the Earl of Neweaptle in Auge, 1642 taking advantage thereof, came into the, County of Darbaa:, ard co che Towne of New cuftle apon Dye, with divers Captaines,Commandersynot exceeding the number of 100. mien.to raife forces againit che Parliamentjand by Adichrelate afters

he increafed to 500. or 600. men at the moft, and Sir Henry Pane having Armes of his ownein his Houfe-at Raby Cattle, ftifficienc to arme 1co. men,thofe Armes were carried by his two ‘principal! fer~ vanes, William Conyorssa PapifhReculant, and Henry Dingly hisfo~ liciter in his Law affaires, to the Towne cf Newcafile, where they

| were delivered to one-appointed by the Earle of Nezwecsfile, to receive them and Conyers-and-Dimglcy received:a note for the receit ‘of thiofe armies.

All which being publikely known ‘in the Gourttry , the ‘people were much difheartned , and for'that the party intrufted with che Adilitia, had furviifhed the enemie as atorefaid , many were forced tu take up Armes under -the command of the Earle of Nezcsflle, divers for feare fled out-of the Country, and-others of chem, ‘whe ftaid longer, were taken and imprifoned 3 and -fhorely .afeer, ‘the Farles Atmy increafed to the nutmber of 5voo. and upwards,as twas ‘commonly reputed, there being 59. Colours of foor,and25 Troaps of Hoole, or neerethereabouts; and theafic&ed plundered in ther Kitates co their acter inspoverithmens

G2 fected

Oe buinble defire it, That 20 man ib tt hath tasen ap Armes, andl

[278]

| _ C20)

ferved, or been alfive in this unnaturall Warrey againft the Parlia ment, or are Delinquents, or willingly contributed theeunto, be put into Commiffion, or imiployment, or Adminiftration of Fuftice, natill the welleaffected of the Country be beard concerning their offences, ani mifdemeanours, and the fame be determined of in the Parliaq

ment oC.

This Information was prelented to the Right Honourable the Earle of Effex, in February, 1643. by Rich ed Bilburne,and his bro~ ther George Litberie,in the pretence of Edward Wright , Nicholas Heath, fubn Ewbanke , and Michael Dawfon, all of the County of | Darbam. @ The Copies of Colonell THO. MIDFORDS Certificate , with

~ others, given under their bands. “Hat about Faly, 1642, Thomas Midford and Gearge Lilburne

I went on parpofeto the Houle of Sir-Henry Vane the elder, neere Chzring- Croffeyand there acquainted him of the frees quent meetings of the Papifts and their adherents, in the County of

Darbam, and that they did not onely gather together moft of the prime Horfes of the faid County, but did exercife then: in. Armes, ‘and trained the {aid Horfe,to the difcouragement of all the cruehearted Proteftants of thefaid County : And that the Sea-ports of the faid County were fit to betaken care of , which the faid Sir Henry Vane promifed to take timely care of, making thew that hee intended fhortly to goe downeinto the faid County : In the meane time,defired the faid George Lilburne , and. the faid Thoma Midford to goe to the. Deputy Lieutenants, and acquaine chem with the aforefaid Information, and to tel! them from him,chat he could not

then write to them concerning the fame , but bid chem take care _ thereof, till he gave further Order. — Thefaid Thomas Midford,about the end of the faid moneth,com-

ming into the faid County , went to Durhzm,and did acquaint Sir William Darcie, being then high Sheriffe of the faid County, Sir Fobn Conyers and others at Fohn Hulls Houle in Durham, of the

:R

fame,who recurned the faid Adidford no other anfwer,but well, well, and feemed to make no great matter thereof,

18 Fane, 1645. Tho, Midford

[279] ( 21) Tn the yeere 1643, Nicolas Heath of Li ttle- Eden in the County

| of Durham Elg. came to Sir Hen. ane fenior in Weftminfter-Halland told him that the County was ima very fad Condition, and the In~ fhabicanes utterly undone, unleffe there were fome prefent courfe taken for preventing of railing the forces which were then a gatherings but Sir Heery Vanes Aniwer was, That be nere ibouzhe otbermife,

18 Janey 1645. NIC..HE ATH,

Mr. Henry Dingly died in Fan, 1644. at Charing-Croffe, and : lodged neer Sir Henry Vanes Hc mes teftis Fobn Marr, Efg. Clarke of the Kitching co che Prince.

Mr. William Conyers, Steward of his Land, hath continued his fervice likewife, and lived-in Raby Caffle, ever fince che carrying of the Armes from the faid Caftle to Newcaftleupon Tyze, till within theie Foure moneths lait paft, Teflis, Mi -George Lilburne 5 and Col. Rob. Litburne,his Nephew. Fune 2: 1645. 5. When Alderman Gzraey was Lord Major of London, the Ci-

tizens complained ra the Parliament of himand.others of his Brethren, aid a!fo of the Recorder Gurdner, thofe that proifecuted the Cities bufines, was principally Aldernian Folkes, and Alderman Gibbs,that Monopolifer, and Mi. Glivze now Recorder, fate in the

Chaire ofthat Committee , but as foon as they had juftled cut thoie, they.camplained of, and fet themfelves downe in their pla= ces or Saddles, rode and fpurr’d the poor Commens of Lowdin as hard as ever the former did, and troad in Strafford’s pathes of Arbi-

teary Goverment., as much ag the former, and the Peop'e figh; groane, and cry out of their uniuft bondage by the Lord Major prefents Recorder and Coure of Aldermen,. and tke Parliament ok upon them with a fighting eye, and afford them no helpe, though the Commons of Londsn have been chief Inftsnments under

GOD of faving their Lives, Liberties, and Eilates, howbeit now they goe about to make them flaves for their paines; it were well theretore the Commons of Lend:n would aske their Foure Burgefesy

if they did not fend them to fe.in Parliament , so preferve and defend theig Liberties, and 1f they firide they bave not performed their truft, then to defi: e to choofe Fcoure more Faithfull; Carefull and ftouter in their places, and that the Commons ct Lovdon are {en=Gble of their being vob’d of their Freedomies by the -uforefaid par-

, . ucs

[280]

(22) ties, the Petition of divers of them prefented’-to the whole Common Councell, ficting in Gvitd-ball in April laft, and lince printed, doth fully declare; whereof a true Copy here followeth. To the Right Honourable,

The LORD MAZFOR, and the Right Worfhipfull, the Aldermen, ard Common-Councelf of the City

of LONDON; Tn Common Councell Affembled. The humble Petition of divers Citizens of this Honourable City.

SHEWING, Hat the affii€tions and forrows of our hearts are unexi preffible, in regard of the manifold miferies that are upon us, and thoufands of our deer Brethren, and fellow Citi-

ny other 5 |

zens complaints being generall,and very grievous. As among{t ma-

I. That the Poore is. in.great neceffity 5 wanting wherewith to fet themfelves on worke, their Children uneducated, and thereby prepared to wi kedneffe and heggery.

I}. Zh2t Trading is exzeedinzly decayéd , whereby thoufands that beve livedin a free and plentifull way, are many fallenyand are more fal= ling into great extremity.

Lil. That Affelments are made very uneguall, whereby the Taxes

. Lid ups the City, are mad: burthenfome y and paid with much re2122017 a.

P LV. ‘That the Forces of the Citie are very much abated, and that the Citie is not in aPofture of Warre anfwerable to its greatneffe 5 or its dinger.

And though there hath not been wanting continuall endeavours of juditious charitable perfons to prefcribe-remedies for thofe grievanices,yet our maiferies are fuch,that we are in effe& debarr trom

opening cur griefes, or propofing our remedies to any that hath power to help us. For if wee motion our going to the Parliament immediately Cas was

| [281] ( 23)

was ufuall and fuccesfull in former times our mouthes are preently ftopt-with this prejuditiall ramour. That the Parliantenz will not receive any Petition from the Citizens , but by the Common-Councell ;

whereupon few or none will move in chat way,though there-be never fo urgent neceffities. Ifwee propole to goe through the Covesom Councell , fad expertence hach proved it fo difficule co obtaine a Common-Ccuncell,

that men are weary in purfuance thereof. The Lord Major and Aldermen challenging to themfelves Prerogative of cailing Common Councells onely when they fee caufe, alfo that nothing fhall be debated, but what hath been firft prefented to the Gourt of Al+

dermen, 2nd that after debate, the Lord Major hath a negative voice or power to Null or fruftrate all that ‘hath been debated by refufing to put to Vote, or by diffolving the Court at his pleature. By which Prerogative Rules, if che Lord Major will not, or cannot preferve the Citizens from mifcries and deftru&ion, Will not heare our Complaints, nor be fenfible ofour neceflities, The whole power of the chofen Common-Councell men, may not interpofe , or ufe any meanes for our prefervation and relief. Wee willingly give all due honour to the Lord Major and Aldernien in referrence to their particular Offices. But that the fafety and well-being of fo great a People ould depend upon the underftancing and: affe€tions of fo few, and that the whole City muft be wichout a juft means to preferve themielves,or to remedy things that are any'wayes amiffe, ex-

cept the Lord Major and Alderncn will affene, And that thofe whom the People yeerly choofe, and principally intrult , frould be

made ufeleffe at their pleaftire. Ard thensfelves eftated with fuch- a power, that no Authority in the City cancall chem tc an account in cafes of mif-government, is fo peinitiouf'y cbitru&tive and intolle-

rable » aS is not to be pleaded, but to the enflaving of the eople. Whereas of Right, the People of the City are a free People, and

are not to be bound or concluded. but by their own confents, or by the major part of thofe they yeerly che ¢ fe to give their confents in common and free Ccuncell ,,.who are Commonners chofen from amongft themfelves, with reference to the‘: Confciences , and

good affetions. In whom the concluding law-making power of the City july is. It being cefliuCtive and improper that it fhonld

[282]

, | { 24)

be eftated in two. diftin& jurifdi&ions. And therefore , fincewee

have none to open our griefesunto, but unto you, And that it js thought convenienr,that wee fhould apply our felves to this Coure

in whatfoever we defire to prefent unto the Parliament. | _» .Wee moft carneftly intveat you to fhake off all pretences of Pr rogatives, by which (and the like ) the Citie and Gommion-wealth Ahave been mott groffely inflaved , and that you will reduce your felves into fo proper and jut a method of proceeding,as may ftand with the condition of a free people, and conduce to theremedying _ of all grievances, and semovall of all our affli&tions. Unto which end we humbly propofe to your grave confideration, as followeth. LL. That you will be plezled t0 Order a Court of Common CounceB once every week to,meet without warning apon a certaine day, and exe

: prefleboure, and to publifh the fame, that all the Inbabisants of the Crty may be infarmed thereof. LE. That pow will alfo publifh your readineffe te receive all Informsti« ans and Petitions from any of the Inhabitants , there having been many

mit nectffnry and ufefull bings fliffled for want of incouragement in this kind. LIL. That you will refolve within your felves, to maintaine the Ej~ fence and freedome of your Court, As naniely, Fo take inte jour Confiderations, and freely to debate whatfoever the prefent or greater part {ball thinke weet and neceffary. To Vote and cone clude what foever to the major part (ball feem good : Io continue the pre= fect Seffion or Courtsat the prefest oecafions {ball require, To adjonrne to

whit day and time {ball by the greater part be thought convenient over

and befides the fet weekly Court, without which , and the due Obfer~ | vations of allreafonable Orders as by your wifedome fhall be provided, jou will appeare to every juditious under flanding, but as a meer foaduw

of Power, aud no wayes belpfull. And therefore, | IV. That you will be pleated to make a perpetyall ftanding Order,

Lav, that whatfoever Perfon or Perfaus {hall from henceforth by fecret or

epen meanes endeaneur to deprive the Court of Commcn-Councell of she forefaid Rights,F reedoms or Priviledges€ ia the vindicating where# Of fome members of this Court ther Commoners expreft-much zeale ae

gaint shas ebftinate Lord Major Gurmey, aud bis perverfe A Socio ,

(25) ,

[283]

foall be inflantly disfrerechifed,and otberwife punifbed,os [ball feem-gaod

to the Fuftice of this Courte . tS

Thefe wee moft-earneftly int reate may be fpeedily eftablithed, as being the only meanes to incourage your Petitioners,and alk

other well-affetted People,to ftudy and prefene you with fuch materialls as may happily tend to give afpeedy end-to all our

miferies, oO

And wee. foall ever pray ere.

This Petitien was delivered she 15. of April, 1645.9 the Common~ Councell of Lor.don, fitting at Guild-hall.

é. Sir Fobn Lenthail having a&ed and done- many things of exs

tiaordinary prejudice apainit State, of one Captaine Cob, ay{ean Captaine, and then Pritoner in the. the hands Sin Kaba Lenthsll our of duty and affection to the well-fare of the Publique , informed by a Letter che Spezker of the Houfe of Commons ct it, and -fent his. Eetter by the hands-ofone Mrs Jendés ,. who faithfully.delivered ic. to him, and:by herimportanity to-fome thae-belonged to the faid Speaker for an Aniwer to- its the faid Captaine Gob.was brought out. of Prifon to the Houfe of Commons door, as he thought to juftifie.

the. faid Letter, who had brought along with him three or foure - Witneffes, to prove all the particulars mentioned. in che. faid Letter. But the Speaker,contrary co. his-duty,neyer caufed him to be cal. ted in, but only fent him out word,that he thould goe:home againe, and he would fhortly comeover to his brother Sir Fuhns Houte,and | fpeak with him there,who accordingly did, but would admit none to beprefent to heare what paffied amongit then: there 3. yet Cob, as. {Gone as hecame into the Prifon amongitt: his fellows-, gave unto. them a true Relation,upon his Reputation, of avhat paffed amongtt. them,which as they averre,was to this effect; as foon ashe came up, faith the Speaker, Sir doe you know me, yes fir, faith Cob, I.know you to be Speaker of the Houfe of Commons, which-was the reafon.. — ~ Inwrit to you, judging you the fictelt man to bring to light fo great. abutlineffe of importance, as I have to makeknown-to you,.for the. good of the State and Kingdome , then the Spesker fhewed him his

Pp. Letter,

[284]

, , (26) ,

Letter, and asked him if hé would jutifie it, and he told him, yes, and a great deale more, if he would dove his duty, in making it tru ly knowne to che Honourable Houfe of Commi -ns. The Speaker tuining himfelfto his Brother, faid, Sir Fabs, if this be true, heare isenough to hang you, well Sir, faich Sir Jobn;whereas he chargeth meof letting Violet goe twife to Oxford, during the tinte that hee and Sir Baffell Brooke were contriving their Plot apaintt che City; yo.: know I never let him goe but once, ard then I had your warrant for it ; well, well,{aid the Speaker,Captaine Cob, ‘T fee you are an honeit man, and much wronged by your adverfa-

ries, but fhake hands and be friends with Sir Fobz, and I will get you your Liberty, fo they parted. But C aptaine Cob perceiving the Speaker did nothing in it,but ine deavoured to {mother it,fent a true Copy yt his Letters,that he had

: fent to the Speaker, to Mr. William Fendry of Londin, with Ellen . Thomas, her information about the threefcore thoufand pounds of

Sir Baffle! Brookes, that then was,in Sir Fobxs hands, which Letter and Intormation the faid Pendry communicated to two Knights that are members of the Committee of bth Kingdomes, who tuok no more care then the Speaker co have ic bi ougheco light, nor the Sooool. artached, and nowictis upon the ftage.before the Committee of Examination, the Chaireman of which, fuftice Whittiker, with Mr. Kaightly and Sir Robert Pyeswho is defired to remember a Letter chat was going ta Don Cottington.&c. have vot deale fairely in the buftueffe, as both che Informers, and iome of che 6. Citizens that were permitted into the Committe, to {ce to the nianaging of

the buiinefle doe declare. | And therefore affured!,,if(o foule and hainous a bufineffe as this

is, be {mothered up againe, I am very confidently perfwad:d,fome one or other will publifh all che particti!ars of ir(ere long) in prine, to the view cfall Lhe Commons ot Eng!ind, that fo they may fee and judge howthey are jugled with, by fome of thofe they have re= poted their(as greateft Sir} 7o. a¥,and the Speaer have it maywrutt juitlyin,bealchough fuppofed ict Lentb Dr. Baftwick at worke

to pub!ifh co the view of the world ‘the innocency ot the parties ac-

: culed , faying in the 8. page of hisJate book againit Mr. Lilburnes that there is nothing made good againtt them, fo much a@ witha feeming probabilicie, much leffe proved , and fo bufy and carnelt is

[285] ( 27) she faid Baftwick to defend their rotten Reputations, and their wicked and unjuit dealings towards the State and Kingdome, that he thinks with his lies and bafe and fordid Janguage, to falve up their credits, and to baille and juftle the juft and honeit profecuters out of their juit wayes and patches they treadin, to doe the Kingdome faichtull {ervice in bringing treafon to light. Yea, fo bold and impudent is hee, being back’d by their Authoritieand Intereft, chat rather then truth {hall come co light , and their wickedneffe be difcovered,he will lay fuch a blotupon the Parliament, that will render then ridiculous to all that ferioutly read his Book , and confider that the Parliaments owne Authority hath licenced him to call chem Ninneys and Gres. For faich hein the lait page of his Book, For a there is no family, thaugh never fo boneft, that bath not a Whore or a Knave of their kindred, fo it ws impoffi vle in fu:b a great Counfell as the Parliament w, but they fhoiuld have fome Ninnyes andGroles, and men that baveno more

wit, then wik reach from their nofe. to their month Ie were well Dr. Buftwick would doe the Common wealth that fervice , as to name tho’e men, that fo fome men may begge them tor fooles,to take up-

on them fo high a calling, as to be Law-makers to fo great and , knowing a People, as Englandis, and to have fo little wit in

» them.

Surely this Parliament will be contempteous., noe onely: to their

foes, but al:o co their freinds, and will never fhake off this blot while they fic, unleffe they call him co an accounc , and make him name whom he meanes , and punith that Licencer thac darit be fo bou!d, to let fuch a book be publithed cum privilegio, to the dilhonour of the very Parliament it felic, furely Sic Fol and his Brother the Speaker have feed Baftmick well, and are not very found, that

they put him (their pack-horfe ) upon fuch defperate courits to falve up their credit, and he hath as.}tetle wit or honefty in him to be fo earnelt for Sir Foon Lenthaltin particular, who is notorioufly knowne and reputed fogrand a Knave and Tyrant, by thoufands that know him,as England hath not bis fellow,being at this prefene Outlawed,and hath fo continued 3 .yeers,and of whom for murder, Cruelty, Bribery and Arbitrary Government, and what not, there: hath fo many complaints been. made to this prefent Parliament,

2 wer

(though little effec they have takensby reafon ofthe Speakers Po-

[286]

| (23).

wer and Intereft ) whofecommon prattife it is, to walke in‘a coit= {tant contempt and violation of the knowne Laws of the Kingdom, and to the making of them null, and of none effe&,‘as much as in him lies, to the ruine and deitruction of thoufands of the free Deni~ zons of England. For though the Law provide, that if a man in Execution efcape or walke abroad out of Prifonythe Jaylor is lyable to pay his debt, yet for his own gaine he doth cenftancly doe both, and the undone and wronged Creditor can have no fatisfa&tion of him , neichtr Law nor Jutticeagainft him, by reaton of the Spesker his great fa-

ion in the Houle, fupporting of him. }

Sir Fobn Lentbal, bekdes his Oaclawries, hath dozens of execnti

Ons upon hini, and yet walkes abroad, a: d continues. keeper of Kong s-Bench Prifon, and Juttice of Peace, and as it is reported ,ig Chairman ofa Committee, by means of which, he is invelted into-a Power to crath and deftroy every honeft man chat. but opens his mouth to fpeake of his bafeneffle and injuftice , the height of-his im jutticeand ot his Arbitrary andTyrannicall Government, fcarcely in Strafford to be parralell’d,which is fo infipporcable t. the poor.

-opprefied Prifon ersin KingsBench , chat they have goc a pro»

verbe amongft them in thee words; ‘The Laniyers rule Committees, the Speaker rules the Lawyers , Sir

John Lenthall rules the Speaker ; Thomas Dutfon relies Sir John > Lenthall, aad the Devil rules Ducfon. Bat for all Buftwicks brags of Sir Fobu Lentballs introcency, if he pleafe to doe the State fo mitch fervice, as to prevaile with his good friend the Spesker, to procure the fame.Coust AZar{bll in London that fate apon the Hothams; as {oon as. the Ordinance is patt , hee fhall have the names of {ome-of reputation in the Kingdome , that will before that Counifell accu’e Sir Fobx Lenth all of High Treafon, and hazard the loffe of their lives upon the proof of-te. Inthe laft place, she Parliament men fwear to be at enmitie wich indifferencie or newtrallity , which newtrallitie in the Covenans , is branded as d-teltable by theiy,and yet noewith{tanding , divers o£

them cannot indure them that wou'd have an end of thefe warres - fpeedily; but hate and abhorre all chofe who with all cheir mighe indeavour the end of cheni : and though firch men walke by better principles chen taking the Coversartyeven by Principles ingraven up-

on

— (29)

[287]

on their foules by God himfelf :-yet tinleffe they will take this (ithpoffible to be kepe ) Covenant, ( the framers and makers of which have runne into wiltull perjury themfelves) they nit be tarned out

of Committees and their Regiments disbanded (asin Hartfordfhire,&c. and Newters put in cheirplaces, that are neitlier hot nor ‘cold , nor have any other principle whereby ‘to walke, but bafe Pecuniary principles and felfInterreils and by this meanes ‘the tous newtrall indifferent Committie-men, and men of. excellent

Kingdome is in danger to be utterly deftroyed , even by fuch cove=

publique principles, disfranchifed,and undenized’, contrary to the fundamentall Contticutions of che Kingdome, which‘doe allow none to be fo deale with, but only tor an act doneor cominiicted a=

gain{t the welfareof the Publique. And though many confcientiors men have laid out their witts, their time,rheir paines, theic purfes, their blood’; yea, and all that in this world is mo‘t precious‘to chen for the prefervacion of the Publique, yet they malt not fie fir Pavliament, though never fo fit and able, unleffechey will take chis wtak*+bate (perfecuting,foul-deftroying, Ex2lzededividing, aud 1indsias) Cover ents I {hall ther e+

fore defire all the Commsus of Engl ard, andthe Parliament thenifelvés, ferivufly to read over iome partof their owns words, in their

Exbortztion co the taking of the Cowezizt, the words thus follow :| Aad as for thofe Clergy men who pretend that they ( 2bove all otberr) cannot Covenant to extirpzte that Government 4. becaufe they have ( at they fay ) taken a folemne Oath to obey the Bifbopss in licitis & hone

tis, they ca tellif they pleafey that they that have fworne obedience to. the Laws of the Land , are not thereby probibited from enileavouring by all lawfull mezns.the abolition of thofe lawes , when they prove intonvé= anient or mifchievouws. —

And if there fbould any Oath be found, anto which any Minifters or others bave entered, not warrarited by the Laws of God and the Land, in this cafe they muft teach themfelves and others 4 that fucb Oathes call

for Repentance,and not obftinacie in them. 7 O that the Parliament would mind thefe their owne words, and pive free leave to fume of their honeft fellow Commoners to ree monftrate the inconveniency and miichievoufnefle of this Covenart,

‘D3 theni.

and I am confident, ic would calily and cleerly be made appeare £2

[288]

(30 ) , themiclves fo vild, that they would never inforce it any more, bur rather recall ic again. Fudg.1 1.30.Eft.3.10.Da1.3.3.c2. Mark, 6.23. 12. Whether ic be not moft agreeable to Law, Jutticesequitie and con{cience, and the nature of a Parliament mans place , that during the titne of his being a member, hee fhould lay afide all places of profit in the Common-weaith, and tend only upon that tun&ion, tor which he was chofen; or it he be paor, or have loft his Eitate, whether he ought not at prefent, to be content with his matters wa-

Ee; that is to fay, with fo much a day,as the Cominon-Wealcth by the Law of the Land is to pay him for his dayes labour , which is exprefled in 33.H.8.11. to be 4s.per diem toevery Knight, and to every Citizen and Burgeffe 2s.aday, ormore, as heretofore hath been accuftomed, &c. or with fome reafonable Competency, being the Commonwealth is grown fo poor,that it is not able to pay her common Souldiers their 8d.a day,chough they conftantly adventer their lives to preferve her, which the Parliament men feldome doe, and not to thirft after yreat and rich Places, farrelefle to poffefle or enjoy them, Seeing by waefull exverience it is found , that the poffefling of _ them breeds nothing but factions and bafe cowadlineffe , yea and fowing up of mens lips,chat they dare not {peak freely for the Come mionewealth,nor difpleafe iuch and fuch «faction, forfeare of being Voted,and thruft out of their smfic to be enjoyed Offices,the Com monwes!th hath juft caufe co fear they wil fet up an intereft of their owne, deitructive to. that common Intereft and Freedome, whereof the pcoreft free man in England oughtto be poffeflor, and fo. make. this pref{.ne-Parliament an everlafting Parliement, and the Warre a

riever ending Warre, feeing it.cends fo nach to. the inriching of Parlmment men and their Officers, who have already ¢vilely,as they thinke, fenced themfelves with an Ordinance made the 26.of Fuse, 1645.That they fhalf not becalled to account for their Mafters the

Common Pers. e.lths money,nor Plate that once commeth into their Objekt. But nrowld you have thofe Parliament men, that bad their Places before the Parligment fate,turned ont of theirs ? ¥es, F would have Sir Hezry Mildmer Sir Henry Vane the younge er, Solicicer S.sint- Fobn, Mr. Holland,epc. warned out of heir Places

at prefent, though I conceiveit juft they fhould be fecured of the ino

7 C31)

[289]

Injoyment of thém againe {0 foon as the Parliament is ended, for their prefent injoying thereof,fowes but up their lippes,and makes them chey dare neither fpeake nordoe that they (hould, and without them is hoped they would(and for avoiding the jealvislie of par-

tisllicy ) I thmke:there isas much Jultice, co turne them out during the Parliaments continuing, as co turne out Mr. Greene, Sir Robert Harlow, Sir Walter Earle, Mr. Reynolds , the Speaker , Mr. Prideaux,eéc. and all the Chancery Judges, forto me it is one of

the moit unjuit thingsin the world, that the Law-makers fhould be che Law executors, {ceing by that meanes , it they doe never fo much injuftice and oppreflion,a man may {pend both long time,and

all he hath befides, before ever he can get any Juttice again{t them, | yea, and it may be, hazard the Icfle of his life too. And therefore it werea ereat deal better for the Common- wealth, that all the executors of the Law fhould be fuch perfons as doe not in the leat belong to the Parliament, that fo they may not be able to make any fadtions to fave their Lives and Ettates ,when they doe injuttice sand [ am confident, there is never an honeft-hearted ParJiament man that meancs well to the Common- Wea Ith,but he will upon the debating ot this necdfu'lpoint, be of my «minde , though

itrofic. be never fo contrary to his owne particular Intereft and P But you will fay, This will fetch that gallant man Cromwell from the Army, which will be a mighty loffe to the Kingdome, {eeing heis fo able and active a Souldter, and fo extraordinarily beloved of che Officers and Souldiers in the Army, yea,and fuch a flay

to that unparralleld Generall, Sir THOMAS F AIR E-

FAX

_ Tanfwer,it is very true, that the Kingdome will have a mighty loffe ot him indeed, if he fhduld be taken out of the Army , and be made unferviceable to them any where elfe; but it he come into the Houfe of Commons (that proper feat whereunto hee was chofen,) and dce them ten times mOre fervice there,then he doth,or can doe in the Army,what lofle hath the Common: Weath then ? Confider ferioufly the grand fervice he did the !aft Winter, when hee was in the Houle, and fee whether any action that evei: he did in his life canbe parralle'd to it, and I beleeve it will be found good to have

him at home: for he is found at the heart, and not rotten cored, ates

[290]

(32) 7

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[RICHARD OVERTON] A REMONSTRANCE OF MANY THOUSAND CITIZENS

1646 A Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens appeared anonymously in London

in 1646, without license or imprint. On the title-page of his copy, now in the British Museum, Thomason wrote “July 7th London.” Thomason’s copy has the frontispiece portrait of John Lilburne. A copy in the library of the Union Theological Seminary and two copies in the British Museum lack the frontispiece. One of the additional copies in the British Museum appears to be of another printing. The present tract was plainly written by tne same hand that wrote the several other tracts acknowledged by, or attributed to, Overton (see Volume I, pages 95 ff.). Pease’s statement (Leveller Movement, 153 n.) that any attempt to determine the authorship of A Remonstrance must be a mere guess

. is overcautious. The text is here reproduced from a copy in the library of the Union Theological Seminary, collated with a photostatic print of the copy in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum.

BLANK PAGE

| [351] OF ,

~ REMONSTRANCE Many Thoufand Citizens, and other Free-born

PEOPLE o& ENGLAND, | To their one Houfe of ,

COMMONS.

Oceafioned” through the Ilegall and Barbarcus Imprifonmens of that Famous and Worthy Sufferer for his Countries

Freedoms, Lievtenant Col.

JOHN LILBURNE. Wherein their jut Devtands in bebalbfe of themfelves and the whole K ingdome,concerning their Pablike Safety, Peace and Freedome, is Exp-efs'd; crlling thofe their Commiffioners in Parliament to an Ac¢ wit, hrw they ( fince the beginuing of theit-Seffion, to this prefent ) have di(ch srged their Duties to the Univer{allity of the Peeples thesr

S.ver signe LORD, from whom their Power and Strength is deri-

, ved, and by whom ( ad bene placitum,) it 3s continued:

Printed inthe Yeer. 1646.

BLANK PAGE

[353]

, (3)

GF IShEPE ESE EES hhh 9444 444446544545444

Qreeneerennnemepagereeret aE ggshrce TT a ERIE A

:OF Many Thoufsnd Citizens,and ether Frec-borne People of England,

to their owne Houle of COMMONS.

SS$OSHSE E are well affured, yet cannot forget, that the caufe | of our us clioofing to be , was to | W4=€°deliver from allyou kind of Parliamsent-men Bondage and to preferve Saesoe the Commonwealth in Peace and Happinefle: For : efie€ting whereof, we poffcfied you with the fame PoWer that was in our felves, to ha vedone the fame; For wee mighs juftly have done ic our felves without you, if we had thoughe it ‘convenient; choofing ycu[-as Perfons whom wee chought fidy guallified, and Faithfull, | for avoiding fome inconveniences. But ye are to remember,this was only of us but a Power of suf,

_ [which is ever revokable, and cannot be otherwiit, | and to be imployed to no other end, then ourowne well-being : Nor did wee choofe you to continue our Troft’s longer, then the knowne eftablifhed confticution of his Commonly-wealch will jufly permit,and that could be but for one yeere at the moft : for ‘by our Law, a Parliament isto be called oace every yeere, and oftner (if need be, )as ye well know. Wee areyotr Principalls, and you our

Agents; itisa Truth which you cannot but acknowledge : For if youor any other hall aflume,or exercife any Power , that is not derived from our Truftand choice thereunto, that Power is no Jefe then ufurpation.and an Oppreffion, from which wee expe& to be freed,in whomfoever we finde it; it being altogether inconfitent wich the nature of juft Freedowe , which yee alfo very well

underftand. A ,

2 The

[354] (4) The Hiftory of our Fore-fathers fince they were Conquéred by the Normans, doth manifeft that this Nation hath been held in bondage all along ever fince by the policies and force of the Officere of Truft in the Common-wealth, atnongft whom,wee always efteemed Kings the chiefeft : and what (in much of the formertime) was done by warre, and by impoverifhing of the People , to make them flaves, and to hold them in bondage,our latter Princes

have endeavoured to effet, by giving eafe and wealth unto the People, but withal), corrupting their underftanding , by infufing falfe Principles concerning Kings, and Government, and Parliaments, and Freedoms;and alfoufing all meanes to corrupt and vitiate the manners of the youth, and ftrongeft prop and fuppore

| of she People,the Gentry.

, It is wonderfull, that the failings of former Kings, to bring our Fore-fathers into bondage, together withthe trouble and danger thacfome of them drew upon themfelves and cheir Poftericy , by thofe their unjuft endevours, had not wrought in our latter Kings a refolution to rely on, and truft only to Juitice and fquare dealjug with the the People, efpecially confidering the unaprnefle of the Nation to beare much, efpecially from thoie that pretend to dove them, and unto whom they exprefled fo much hearty affection, (asany People in the world ever did, ) as in the quiet admiffion of King Fames from Scotland, fufficient, (if any Obligation would worke Kings to Reafon, ) to have endeared both him and his fonne King Charles, to an inviolablelove, and hearty affeétion

to the Englifh Nation; but it would not doe. , They choofe rather to truft unto their Policies and Court Arts,

to King-wafte, and delufion, then to Jute and plame dealiag.; and did effe& many things tcnding to our enflaving (4s in your Firft Remonftrance; you fhew skill enough'to manifeft thefame to.

afl the World :) and this Nation having been by their: delufive Arts, anda long continued Peace, much foftencd and debafed in judgement and Spirir, did beare far beyond its ufuall temper, or

| ever

any example of our Fore-Fathers,which € to our fhame,) wee acknowledge. But in conclufion, longer they would not beare , and then yee were chofen to worke our deliverance,-and to Eftate us in natural! and juft libertie agreeableto Reafin and common equitie;for what-

[355] (5) ever chir Fore-fathers ‘veresor whatever they did or fuffered , dr were'enforced to yeeld unto; we are the men ofthe prefent age,and ought to be abfolutely free from all kindes of exorbitancies, mo~ leftations or Arbitrary Power, and you wee choofe to free us from all without exception or limitation, either in refpe& of Perfons, Officers, Degrees,or things ; and we were full of confidence, that ye alfo would have dealt impartially on our behalf, and made us the mof abfolute free People in the world. But how ye have dealt with us; wee fhall now let you know, and let the Righteom GOD judge between you and us;the continuall Oppreffours of che Nation, have been Kings, which is fo evident,

that you cannot denie it; and ye your felves have told the King, ( whom yet you owne, ) Thar bis whole 16. Leeres reigue was one continued att of the breach of he Law, You fhewed him, That you underftood bis under-working with Tre~ land, bis endeavour to enforce the Parliament by the Army raifed ar gainft Scotland, yee were eye-witneffes of bis violent attempt about the

Five Members ; Yce {aw evidently bis purpofe of rai g Warres yee bave feen bim engaged, and with obftinste viclence,per féfting in the mofk

bloady Warre that ever this Nation knew, to the wafting and deftrutti-

on of multitudes of boneft and Religious People. Yee have experience, that none but a King could doe fo great intollerab‘e mifchiefes, the very nanve of King, proving a fufiici-

ent charme to delude many of our Byethren in Wales, Ireland, England, and Scotland too, fo farrey atgo fight againft their own Li-

berties one. which you know, no man under heaven could ever have And yet, as ifyou were of Counfell with him, and were refolved to hold up his reputation, thereby toenable him to goe on in mifchief, you maintaine, The King can doe no wrong, ahd apply all his Oppreftions to Evil] Coznfellors begeing and intreating him in {uch fubmiffive language, to returne to his Kingly Office and Par-

liament, as if you were refolved to make us beleeve , hee were a God, without whofe prefence, all muft fall to ruine, or as if is were impoffible for any Nation to be happy without a King.

3 or

_Youcannot fight for our Liberties, but it mutt be in the Namé of King and Parliament; he that {peakes of his eruelties , mutt be

thruft out of your Houfe and fociety your Preachers muft Pray

[3 56] , (6

for hira,as jf he had not deferved to be exec'mmunicated all € hriftian Society, or as if yee or they thought God werea refpecter of the. Perfons of Kings in judgement. By this and other your like dealings,your frequent treating and tampering to maintaine his honour, Wee that have trufted you te deliver us from his Opreffions,and to preferve us from his cruel-

ties, are wafted and confuned ( in multitudes) to manifold miferies, whilit you lie ready with open armes to receive him, ard to make bim agreat and glorious King.

Have you fh: ke this Nation like an Earth-quake, to produce No more then this for us; Is it for thie, thac ye have made {0 free ufe,& been fo bold beth wich our Perfons & Eltates? And doe you | (beeaufe of our readincs tocomply with your defires in all things ) conceive us fo fortifh,as tobe contented wich {uch anworthy re-

turnes of ou: truft and Love? No; ic is high time wee be plaine with you; WE E aro not, nar SH AL Lnot be fo contented; Wee cloe expe& according to reafon, that yee foould in the firft place, declare and fet forth King Chzr’es his wickedneffe openly before the world, and withall, to thew the incollerable inconyeniences of having a Kingly Government, from the conftane evill prac&tifes of

thofe of this Nation; and {0 to declare Kinz Charles anenemy,and

to publtfh your refolution, never to have any more , but to ac quite us of fo great a charge and trouble forever, and to convert the great revenue ofthe Crowne to the publike treafure, to make good the injuries and injuftices done heretofore, and of late by

| thofe chat hav? poftetied the famz; and chis we cxpectcd long fince at your-hand, and untill this be done, wee {hell not thinke our felves well deale withall in this originall of all Oppreffions, to wit Kings. Yee muftalfo deal better with us concerning the Lords,then you havedone? Yee only'are chofen by Us the People;and therefore in you onelyis the Power of binding the whole Nation, by making, altering, or gbolithing of Lawes; Yee have therefore prejudiced Us, in aGing fo, as if ye could not make a Law withoa: both the Royall affent of the King (oye are pleafed to exoreffe your felves, ) atid the affenc of che Lords; yet when ether King or Lords affem not to what you approve, yee “have fo much fenfe of your owne

owne Houfe. Whar Power, asto affent what-yee thinke good by an Order of your

[357] (7) Whatis this but to blinde oureyes, that Wee fhould notknow where cur Power is lodged, nor te whon: to apply our felves for the ufe thereof; but if We wanea Low, Wee muft awaite till the King and Lords affent ; if an Ordinance, then Wee mutt waite till the Lords affent; yetye knowing their affent to ke meerly formall, Cas baving xo reot in the choice of the People, from whom the Pcuwer that is juft mut be drived, ) doe frequently importune cheir affent,

which implies a moft groffe abfurditie. |

For where their affent is neceflary and effentiall they mutt be as :

Free as you,to affent,or diffent as their underftandings and Con. {ciences fhould guide them : and mightas juftly importune you, as yee them. Yee ought inGonfcience to reduce this cafe alio to a certaintie,andnot to wafte time, and open your C ounfells, and be lyable to fo many Obftructions as yee have been.

But to prevaile with them (enjoying their Honours and Pot | {eflions, to be lyable, and ftand to be chofen for Knights and Bureefles by the People, as other the Gentry and Free-men of this Na-

tion doe, which willbe an Obligation upon them, as having one and the fameintereft : then alfo they would be diflinguifhed by their vertues, and love to the Common-wealth , whereas now they A& and Vote in our affaires but as intruders, or as thruft upon us by Kings,to make good their Interefts , which to this day have been to bring us into a flavifh fubje&ion co their wills. Nor is there any reafon, that they fhouldin any meafure,be leffe lyable to any Law then the Gentry are; Why fhould any of them

affault, ftrike, or beate any, and not be lyable totheLaw,asother men are? Why fhould not theybeas lyable to their debts as other men ? there isno reafon : yet have yee ftood ftill, and feen many of ys,and fome of your felves violently abufed without repairation. Wee defire you to free usfrom theieabufes, and their negative: Voices, or elfetell us, that it is reafonable wee fhould be flaves, this being a perpetuall prejudice in our Government,neither confitting with Freedome nor Safety: with Freed-:me it cannot; for in this way of Voting in all Affaires of the Common- wealth, being not Chofen thereunto by the People, they are therein Mafters & Lords of the People, which neceflarily implyes the People to be their

fervants.and vaffalls,and they have ufed any of us accordingly, |

by committing divcrs to Prifon upon their Owne Authority,

a pamely

[3 58]

(8) William Larner, Liev. Col. Joba Lilburne, and other worthy Sutferers,who upon Appeale unto you, have not beene relieved. Wee mutt therefore pray you to make a Law 4gaintt all kinds of Arbitrary Government, as che higheft capitall offence againft the Common-wealth,and to reduce all conditions of men to a certainty, chat none hence-forward may prefume or plead any thing in way of excufe, and that ye will leave no favour or {cruple of Ty-

rannicall Power over us in any what foever. | Time hath revealed hidden things unto us, things covered over thick and threefold wich pretences of the true Reformed Religion, When as wee fee apparently, that chis Nation, and that of Sectland, are joyned together in a moftbloody and confuming Warre, by the watteand policie of a fort of Lords in each Nation , thac were

~ male-contents, and vexed that the King had advanced cthers, and | not thetnfelves to the manageing Of Scate-affaires. } Which they fuffered till the King increafing his Oppreflions in both Nations, gave them opporiuniry to revealé themfelves, and

then they refolve to bring the King to their bw and regulation, and co exclud: all chofe from managing State-affaires that hee had advanced chereunto, and who were growne fo intolent and prefumptuons, as thefedi‘contented ones were lyable to conrinuall moleftations from them,either by practites at Countel-lable,High-

Comaiiffion, or Starre- ¢hamber. ; } |

So as cheir work was to tubvert the Adonar-bhi it lords and Cler-

gy.and cherewithall, co abate the Power oi the King, and to Order him: but this was a mighty worke, and they were nowifeable to effe& ic of themfelves : therefore( fay they, ) the generallicy of: the People muft be engaged; and how muft this be done? Why fay they, wee muft affociate with that part of the Crgy that are now made underlings, and others of them chat have been oppref= fed, and with the moft zealous religious Non-conformifts, and by the helpeof rhefe, wee will lay before che Generalitie of the People, all the P..pifh Inv ations in Religion, all the Oppreffions of the Bifoops ana High-Commiffion , all the exorbitances of the Counfel boardyand Star-ehamber, all the injuflice of the Chancery, and Courts of Fuftice, all the leg all Taxations , at Ship-mony, Pattents, and Projets whereby we {hall be fure co get into our Party, the generalttic of the Citie of Loudow,and all the confiderable fubantiall Peo-

PleofbothNations. — By

[359]

(9) By whofe ery and impertunity we (hall have a Parliamennwhich

wee fhall by or minifold wayes, alliant, dependant, and relati

ons foone worke to owr purpoles-

But ( fay fome ) this will never be effe&ted without a Warre, for the King will have a {trong party, and ke will never fubmit to us; "cis not expected otherwiie(tay they} and great and vafte fums ofmeney malt be ratfed, andSouldiers and Ammunition mutt be had, whereof wee fhall no: need co feare any want : for what will not an oppreft, rich, and Religious People doe, co be delivered fromall kinds of Oppreffion, both Spiritua!] and Temporal, and to be reftored to purity and freedome in Religion , and to the jut libecty of their Perfons and Eftstes? Al! oarcire mutt be co holdall ac our Command and difpofing;

for if this People thus ftirred up by us, fhould make an end too {von with the King amd his party, it is much to be doubred, they would place che Supreame Pover in their Houle of Commons, unto

‘whom only of right ic bzlongeth, they only being chofen by the Pe. ple, which is fo prefencly difcerned, thac a8 wee have a care the Kig and his Lords muft not prevaile, fo more efpecially , wee mult be crefull che Supreame Power tall not into ghe Peoples

hands, or Houie of Commonss ,

Therefore wee mult {> a&, as not to maKe an end with the King and hjs Parcy, till by expenceof time and treafure, a long, blocdy and coniuming War,decay of tradeyind mulcitudes of che highelt Imspoftst 2s, the Pe. ple by degrees ave tyred and wearied, fo as they fhall not bea‘: to eonteft or difpuce with us, either about Supreane or inferionr Powersbut wee will beable , afore they a:e aware, to give them both Law and Religion, In Scocland it will be eafie to eftzhlifo the Presbyteriall Gevernment in the Church,and that being once eff:Ced,it willnot be much dife ficult in England, spon a pretence of uniformity in both Natians, and the lke, unto wich there will be found a Clergy as willing a wee, it giving them as abfolute a Adiniftery over the Confciences of the Peoples over the Perfons ana Purfesas wee our felves aime at, or deffre. And if any {ball prefume to oppofe either us or them, wee foall be eae fly able by the belpe of the Clargy, by our Party in the Houle of Come mons, and by their and our infuence iz all parts of borb Nations, eafily to crn{h and fuppreffe them,

5 Will

[3 60]

(10) Well (faies fome ) all this may be done, bust wee, without abandanze of travell to our felves, and wounding onr owne Confciences , for wee muft grofly diffemble before God, and all the world will fee it in time; for wee can never doe abl this thst yee aime at bus by the very fame op= preffions as wee prattifed by the King, the Bifbots,and all thafe bis syrannicall Infiruments, both in Re'igion, and Cicill Government.

And it will never laft or continue long, the Pe-ple will fee it , and bate you for 32, more then ever they baicd the former Tyrants and OppreLlours : were it not better and fafer for us tebe juft, and really to doe that for the People, which wee pretend, and for which wee fhall fa freely hend their lives and Eftates,and {i have their Lovey and enjay the Peace of quiet Confciences ?

For ( {ay they \ are not Wee a LOR D, a Peere of the Kingdisn ? Hsve yeu your Lord{bip or Peerage, or thofe Honours and Friviledges that belong therennto frous the love aa Election of the People?T oxr in~ tereft is as diffirent from theirsand as inconfiftent with their freedoms, as thefe Lords «nd Clergy areswhom wee flrive to {upplant. And therefore, rather then {atisfie the Peoples expettaticns in what concrnes thei: Freedoms, it were mueb better ta continue a wee are,

and never difterbe the King in bis Prerogatives , nor bis Lords and Prelates ix thei Priviledges : and therefore let us be-as one and when syce talke of ConfcienceJer us make confeience 5 to make good wnto our Selves and our Pofterities thofe Dignities, Honours and Prebeminencies conveyed unto us by our Noble Progenitours,by all the mzanes wee can; not making quflions for Confcience fake,or any other things; and if nee be united in our endeavours, and workewifely, obferving when to ad~ vtuce,and when togive grouid, wee cannot fusle of fucceffe, wbi.b will

be an binour to our Names for ever. , Thefe are the flrong delufiuns th :t bave been among ft uw, and the my~ flery of iniquity bath wrought moft vcbemently in all our aff sives : Hence

at wastha; Strafford was fo long intryall, and thzt be bad na greater beads to bearebis cumrany. Henze it was tbat the King was not called 10 an account for bis oppreffive Govermment, and that the treachery of thofé that would bave emfarced you, was not feverely punifhed. _.Lhat the King gained time to raife an Army, and the Dneene to furwilh Anmuynition; shat our firft and fecond Army wasfo ul formed and # iti mann szed;Sherbur, Brainford,Exeter,the flerder. xtfe of she A/-

Sociute Conntics, ihe flight garding of the Jfea,Oxtord,Denningconssie ef

ubtie. | ,

[361]

(11)

Welt Defeate, did all piocced frem( and upon) the Adyfery of Ini

: The King and bis Partybid been natbing in. your bands, bd not. [ome of you bees engazcd,andfome of you enfuareds atta | be reft of you overs borne with this Adyftery, wbich youmasy now esfily perceives if yor have a minde thereunto, that yee wore put upon the continuation of this

Parliament, during the pleslure of both H. ufes, reas from this Myfrery, becanfe ix time sbefé Polisitions bad bopes to worke, and pervert yon to forfake the comin n Incereh of thofe that choofe and trufted you to promote their unjuft Defigne to enflave us, wherein ibey bave prevailed

$00 toomuch. oe So

For Wee mutt deale plainly with you, yee have long time atted

more like the Houfe of Peers. then the Honfe af Commens «Wee can

{carcely approach your Door witha Reque top motion, though

by way of Peiition, but yee hold long debates, whether We:

break not your Priviledges; the Kiazs,.or the Lords pretended | Prer-getives never made a greater nujfeynor was male more dread-

fill then che Name of Priviled,e of the Houfe ofCommons,

"Your Members in all Impoficions muft not be taxed in the places where they live, likecther men: Your fervants have their

Priviledgesto>. To accule or profecute-any of you, is become. :

ue. :

dangerous to the Profecutors. Yee have imptifonments as frequent for eicher, Witneffica or Profceutors, a2 ever tne Star-chame

ber had, and yee arefurnifh.d wich new devi‘ed Arguments, ta prove, that yee onely may juitly doe chefe gr. fle injuttices,which me Starr. -Chamber,High-Commifien sand Counfetl- board might nok,

_And for doing whereof ( whil'ft yee were untainted, ) yee abo« fihhed them, for yee now frequently commit mens Perfons co Prifon without fhewing Caul ; Yee examinemen upon Jn:eregatories and Q4 flions againtt themfelves, and Imprifon them tor. refufing to aufwere s And ye have Offictous fervile men,that write and pub-

lith Sophiiticall Argumcnts to juftifie your {0 doing, for which they are rewarded and countenanced, as the Starre-Chamber and High- Commi fion-beagles lacely were.

Whilft thofe chat entured: their lives for your eftablifhmente, are many of them vexed and molefted,and impoverifhed by them; Yee haveentertained ta be your Committees fervants, thofe very

B 2 prowling

[3 62]

(12) prowling Varleta that were imployed by chofe unjuft Courts, who took pleafure to torment honeft coniaienable People; yea vex and mulcft honeft men for matters of Religion, aud difference

with youand your Syed injudgement, and take upon ycu to determine ot Dc&rine and Difcipline, approving this,and reproach-

ing that, jutt like unto formec ignorant pollitiek and fuperttitious Parliaments and Ccnvocauicns: Ard thereby have divided hone& People amongft themfelves, by countenancing only thofé of the Presbitry, znd difcounienancing all the Separation, Aza-

baptifis and Independents. ,

And though ic refteth in you to acquit all differences in affeSion, thongh notin judgement, by permitting every one to be fully periwaded in their owne mindes, commaneing all Reproach to ceafe; yetas yee alfo had admitted (Machiavells Maxime, Die vide @& impera, divide and prevaile; yee ccuntenance cnely one, open the Printing-preffe onely unto one, and that to the Presbytry, and fuffer clem to raile apd at-wie, aud dc mircere over all the rett,

as ifalfo ye had difcovered and digetted, That withcut a powerfull compuliive Presbytry in the Church, accmpuitive mafterfhip, or Arriitocratical! Goverr ment over the Pewple in the State, could sever long be maintained. Whereas truely wee are well afflured, neither ycu,nor none elie,

ean have any into Power at ail tocenclude the People in matters that concerne the Worthip vi God , for therein every one of us ought to be fully aflured in our owne mindes, and to be fure to Worhbip him according to our Contciences. Yee nay propofe what Forme yee conceive belt, and mof avail. able for Informa:on and well-being of the Nation, ard may per{wade and ‘nvice thereunto, but compell, yee cannot juftly; for ye

have no Power from Us totodce, nor could you havi; for wee could neaconferre a Power that was not in our felves, there being none of us, that can without wil.uli finrie binde our felves (co worthip God after any other way, then what (to atittle, ) ia ourownc

particular underfandings, wee af prove to be juit- | And thiretore We could not reterre our ielves to you in things of chis Nature; and iurely, if We could not conterre this Power upon you, yee canna have it, and fo not exercile it jultly; Nay, as we ouzht net te revile or reproach any man for his differing wich

as

[363] (13) &s in judgen.ent, more then wee would be reviled or reproached for ours;even fo yce Cught not to ccuntenance any Reproashers or revilers or moleRers for matters of Confcience. But to prote& aud defend all that live peaceably in the C emmoti-

wealth,of what judgementor way cf Worfhip whatfocver; and if ye would bend ycur mindes thereunto, and leave your felves

ticular. |

Open to give eare, and to confider fuch things as wenld be prefene ted unto you,a jutt way would be dilcovered for the Peace & quiet

ot the land in generall, and of every well-minded Perfoa in parBuc it you lock up ycur felves from hearing al] voices; how is it peffible you {hould try al things. Ieis not for you co affume a Power (Oo controule and torce Religion, ora way of Church Govern= ment,upcn the Pcople, becaufe former Parliaments have fo done;

yee are firit co prove that yee could have fuch a Power july entiwit.d unto you by ihe Peeple that trufted you , ( which you fee you have not.) we may happily be anfwered, chat the Kimgs Wrie

thac ‘ummons a Parliamene, and dire&ts the People to choofe Knights and Burgeffes, implyes the Eftablifhment of Religion. To which wee anfwere, that it Kings weuld prove themfelvee Lawfull Magiltraces, they muft prove themfelves tobe fo,bya lawfull derivation ot their Auchority, which muft be from the veluntary truft cf the People, and chen the cafe ts the fame with them, as" between the Pecph & ycu, they as you,being poffefled of no nore Power then whac is in the Pecple juttly to irtruft, amd then all ime plications in the Wricts, of the Eftsb/s(tment of R.ésion, freweeh chatin that particular.as many other,we 1 mitch, as che appearance of firbj.@tion either in word or decd to any arbi-

trary power, orders, fignifications of their pleafures , &e. masgre their Prifoas, Irons, Halters, &c. either for me or mine: Acd this I pronounce to this Honourable Committee and to the whole Com -nons of England in open defyance and contempt of cheArbictrary Domination of theHoufe of Peers, their ufurpation and incroachments over the Rights and free-

doms of the Commons of England; come What come will, or what the u'moft of their ufurped might and power can in-

fli& upon me for it, |

I fcorne their mercy s and dare them to do their worft : let them find Prifons, Dungeons, Iro.1s,Halcers,&e. Me find Car-

keF: Neck, and H:eles, for onz inc ntempiz‘o their ufurped juritd:@ion;é 1 refolved Tam to break before I bend co tneir oppreffions, &c. Sit lam

| FromNeweare rhe place Yours and ald mens for

of my Prer-gattu: Cape their juft Rights and tivity, Feo. I. 1647. Freedoms faithfull, to the

, | Richard Overton. death,

FINI S$.

MLANK PAGE

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THIS NATION, THE COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED

1647 The so-called large petition of the Levellers of 1647 was published anonymously without license, date, imprint or separate title-page. The date of publication remains uncertain. There appears in the Thomason Collection a brief tract called Gold Tried in the fire, dated by Thomason, June 14, 1647. This seems to have been written by Walwyn and to have been intended as a preface to the publication of the Leveller petitions which had just been condemned by Parliament. The petitions themselves, however, are lacking. The large petition appears in the Thomason Collection as a separate item, dated by Thomason, September 19. This has been assigned in the Thomason Catalogue to the year 1648. At that time, the petition appears to have been presented again in somewhat different

form. It was published in that form, together with a hostile reply, in Some Observations on the late Dangerous Petition (September 19), 1648. Another edition of the revised petition appears in the Thomason Collection with the | date, September 11. The text of the petition, in what would appear to have been its original form, is here reproduced from the copy in the Thomason Collection in the British Museum, dated by Thomason, September 19. For Walwyn's connection with the authorship of the petition, see Volume I, pages 115 ff.

BLANK PAGE

| [399] | (1)

:$969466566 eee aa om PEE FEDDSFSISS GOGO RGSS 4S FSS FFF HESIOT FFF

To the right Honourable and fupreme Authority of this Nation, che Commons in Parliament Allembled. The humble Petition of many thoufands, earneftly defiring the gla ry of God, the freedome of the Common- wealth, and the peace

of all men, 4 Lb Sheweth, WL WN?

9 arited Sane Fiat no Government is more juft in the Confistution,

Ves ws then that of Parliaments, having its foundation in rhe

‘s11¢ :

aN) Wsce free choice of the People, and as the end of all govern-

< eee ert 1 the fafery and freedrme ef the governed, even AE ‘4 IY So the people of this Nation ix all times bave manife-

Sa fred m« ft hearty affettions unto Parliaments as the moff

proper vemsedies of their grievances, yet fuck hath been the wicked pollicy of thofe who from sime to time have indceaveured to bring this Nation sn-~ te bandage, that they have tn all times, esther by the d'fufe or abafe of Par‘Hiaments, deprived the people of their hopes ; for reffimeny whereof, the bats times foregoing this Parliament will fadly witneffe, when ‘twas not only made 4 Crime te mention a Parliament, brit esther the pretended Ne-

ative voice ( the moff de/trn tive to freedome ) or a /peedy diffolution blafed the fruit aud bench: thereof, whilef} che whole Land was over[pread with all kind of oppreffion and tyranny, extending both te foute and body, and chat in fo rooted and fetled a way, that the complaint of the people sn general! witnel[ed, that they would bave given ary thing + the world for one fix meoneths freedsme of Parliament. which hath been fruce 600

denced in their inftant and con,Pant resdinusffe of affiftance to thes prefent , Parliament, exceeding the Reccrds of all former ages, and wherein God hath bleffed chem with their firft defires, making this Parkiament mof

A 2 power

ree and abfoluteof any Parlsament thas ever was, and inablong it with

[400] (21 power fufficient ro deliver the whole Nation from all kind of oppreffien and g kevance. though of never fa long semtinuance and 10 make it the met abe feluce and free nation tn the world, Aud st is:noft thankefully acknowledged, that you bave in order to the Jreedome of tke people. (upprefjed she High-C ommiffion, Star-Chambey,

and Conncell Table, called bome the banifhed, delivered [uch as were imprifoned for matters of confcience, and brought fome Delinquents to deferved puxifhnent , that yeu have {uppreffea the Rijlops and popith Lords, abolihed Epifcopacy, and that kind of prelarick and perfecuting government, that you have taken away Shiv- money, and all new illegall Patents whereby tke hearts of el’ the well. aff Bed were inlarged, and fila

ded wi:h a confiaent hepe. that they fhomla kave [een long ere thisa com. pleat removall af all grievances, and the whole people detivered from alf oppréffion ever fenle or bady. But {ach 35 our mifery, that after the expence ct fo much pr: cious t.me, blood. and treafire, andth-: rusne of 0 7 xy thoufands of bencft Families, in recovering onr liberty, Wee fill find the Nation oppreffed with grievances of the [ame deftrutlive nature as fere nerdy. though under other notions, and which are fo much the more griewens unto us, becanfe they are snfisited in the very time of this prefent Pare liament under God) the bepe of she oppreffed; For as then allthe men and

womes in England, were made liable to the Summons, Attachments, Sentences and imprifonmenss of the Lords of the Councell boord, fowee frond by wofull experience, and the fuffering of many particular per fons, bas the prefens Lords doe affume and exerci(ethe fame power, then which nothing can be more repugnant and deftrettive to the Commons ju$8 liberty,

is then the unjuff power of the Starchamber was exercifed in Competing sucn and wewen te anfwer to interrogatories tending te accafe themfelrcs and orhers, fe is the fame now frequently prattifed upon divers perfons, even your cordial friends, that have been, and firll ave punifbed for re-

fafing to anfwer queftions aganft themfelues, and necreft relations , As thenthe great oppre ffiow of the H igh-( ommiffion, was moff evstent sis molefling of gedly peaceable people for non-confermsity, er diff-vent opinton, er pratiiee sm veligsen, ix judgeng all whe were contrary-minded ro them.

fotves, te bee Heraticks, Seétaries , Sclufmatiqnes fedittons, fultions, enensics to the State, and the like and under oa penaleies. forbtddsxg all perfans not licenfed by thems re preach or publifh the Gofpell; even fo now

at this day, the very fame, if nos greater molefiations are fet on foo and violently

[401] Meak3> violently profecuted by the infligation of a Clergy, ne more infallible shen the former,co the extreme at(couragement O-ffi:ttsen of many rhonfands of your faith full adbivents,who are nor farisfied that controverfies in religion can be trufted ro the compul five regulation of any,F atrer the Bi[hops were fuppreffed. dra hope never to have feen {uch a power afumed by any inthis Nation any more eind although all new allegall Patents are by yon auelitked. yet th: oppreffive Afonopaly ef Merchant adverturers, and others do fisl.ven:ain.ro the great abridgement of the Liberty of the pecple, and tothe cxtriams prejnaice of all (uch induffrions people, as doe depend on ( lath ing er woollen mannfatlure, st being the ftaple commouity vf tints

King omand Nation, andtothe great difcomragement and difadvantage of all ores of Tradef- men, Seafaring-men, and hinderance of Siippirg, ada Navsg.4'ton, tif the old tedwss andeh trgeable Way of de Ciaing C onsrever fits.or {usts on law ts continnedte this day..to the extreme Utxation, | and utier wnaoixg of multituses of Fansslies ‘a onievance as great and pale pable as any in ihe world ) that old and moft urcequall pum/i:ment of male~ frdtors, is (till continued whereby mens lsves and liberties are as liable to the lawes c rporail paines as much infitted for. fmall,as for great offences, and that moj. moft aniufl ty upon the teffimony of oxe Wuunelle, contrary both toihe law of God and commen equity a grievance very great Jour hte

she regarded, eAud alfeTithes and other inferced maintenance are ftil centmued though there be ne grown for etther under theGofpel,axd thoweh thsfame have eccafoned multstudes of [uits, quarrells and debates both in

former and latter tomes. In lshke manner mulestndes of pesple,poore diftre/- , fea prifaners for debs, lye fisllunregarded, ina moft miferable and wofull conduson thronghout the Land, to the great reproach of this Natron; Likewife Prifon-keepers or | aylors are as prefumptnons as ever they vecre both sn recerving and detaining of préfoners,tltegally comustted, as cruell and inhumane to.all,e{pecéally to fwch a3 ave well: affeEled,as oppre{five and e-

torting intherr Fers,and are attended with under Officers of {uch vile and wachriftsan demcaneur.as 1s most abominable, Alfo thoufands of men and . women are permuted to live in beg gery:and wickedneffe all ther life long, and to breed thetr children to the fame idle and vitions courfe of life,and no effetinall meanes ufed to reclainse either, or to reduce them ta any veriue or indnftry. . And laf as thofe whe found thersfelves agrieved fermerly at the Furdens and oppre/":ons of thofetinses, that did not conforme to the Church

A 3 Lovernment

[402] |

(4) |

government then eStablifhed,vefufed to pay Sbip- mony, er yrild obedience to wnjnft Patents, weve reviled and reproached with Nick-names of Pua

vitans, Hevetichs; Sclifmaticks, SeBarict, or were termed factions er

Sedstions, men of turbulent /pirits, defpifers of gevernment, and diftuerbere of the publike peace ; even fo it is at this day, in all refpetls with thofe, thas fhew any fenfibilicy of tbe foreorecited griewantes, or move in any manner : or mocalwre, for remedy thereof, all the repreathes, evills, and wss[ob:efs shat can be devifed, are thought too few, or too l.trle 10 be Layd upon thems, 48 Round-beads, Seflaries, Independants, Hereticks, Schifmaticks, fatttons, feditrons, Rebellions, dsflurbers of the publike peace : defhreyers of all civill relations, and (abordinations, yea, and bcyond what was Formers by, wen-conformsity it now judged afnfficient canfe to difable any perfon “(ehongh of known fidelity ) from bearing any offices of tafe in the Come men-wealth, whiles Nencers, malignant and difaffected, are admitted and

Countesinced. and though it be net now made acrime to mention a Pare Bameent, yet te is listleleffe to mntian the {upreme power of this Honone vable Honfe, fo shat in all thefe refpetts this Nation remsaines, in a very fad and difconfolace condition andthe wore, becanfe it is thus with ue,after fa long a Seffion of fo powerfull, and fo free a Parliament, and hath bcenfo meade and nsrinvained by the abundant love, avd liberall effitfien of the bleed of che people, and therefore knowing wo danger ner thraldowe,

like mute enr being left 1 this fo fad 4 condition by the Parliament, and obf-rving that you are now drawing the great and weighty affaires of shit Nation to fome conclufien, and fearing thatere long you may be ebfirue Bed, by fomes hing equally evill to a Negative verce, and that you may be induced to lay by your frength, which usder God hath bitherte made you powerfull re al’ goed work:s, while we have yet time to hope, and you power to helpe, ana icft by our filence we might be gusley of that ruine and fravery, which without your {peedy help. is like to fall mpen es, your felwes and rhe whole Natson, we bave prefumed to [pread onr Camfe thus plainly, and Li gely bcfcve yon and doe moft carn-fily intreat thas you will Ber wp your aff. liens ro 4 xeclons leve.and tender regard of the people, whe bave chofen and trufted you, that you will fersoufly confider that the end of your trnf? was freedome and deliverance from all kind of grievances and op-

preffions. | :

t And that cherefore in che firft place you will be exceeding caree fullto preferve your jult Authority from all prejudices of a Negative Voice

(5 ) | , [403]

voice.in any perfon or perfons whacfoever, which may difable you, from making that happy returne unto the people which they jutly exe ped, and thac you will not be ind. ced to lay by your ftrength cill you have facish. d your underftandings ia the undoubred fecurity of your felves, and of thofe who have voluatarily, and fatthfully adhered to you in all your excremities, and untill you have (ecured and fecled the Common- wealth in fetled peace, and true freedome, which isthe end of the primitive infticucion of all government. 2 Secondly: that you will take off all fencences, fines, and imprifone-

ments impofed on Commoners by any whomfoever, withour due

courfe of Law, or judgement of their equalls, and to give due reparatie ons to all thofe who have been fo injurioafly deale withall, and for preventing the like for the time to come, that you will ena&t all fuch arbitrary proceedings; to be Capicall crimes. 3 Fhirdly, chat you permit no authorizy whatfoever to compell any

perfon or perfons,to anfwer to any queftions againft themfelves or necieft relations, except in cafes of privace incereft between party and party ima legall way, and torelea(e fuch as fuffer by i-nprifonmenc,or otherwife, for refufing to anfwer to fuch imerrogatories. 4 Fourthly, chac all Scatuces, Oathes, and Covenants may be repe2= led fo farre as they tend, or may be conftrued to. the moleftation and:

infnaring of religious peaceable and weli affected people, for nonconformity or difference of opinion, or pradtice in religion. s. Fifthly, chat no man for preaching or publifhing his opinion in Religion, in a peaceable way, may be punifhed or perfecuted as here- ticall, by Judges that are not infallible, bue may be miftaken as well as other men in cheir judgements, left upon pretence of {upprefli'g ersors, Ses or Schifnes, the mott necelfary truchs, and fincere profeffions thereof may bs fupprcfled, as upon the like precence ict hath been

inallages.

6 Sixthly, that you will for che incouragement of induftrious people, diffolve that oppreffive company of Merchant-Adventurers, and the like, and prevent all fuch others by great penalties for ever.

9 Seventhly, hac you will feclea jult, fpeedy, plain, and unburdenfom way for deciding of Contraverfies, and fuitsin Law, and ree duce all lawes, to the neereft agreement with Chriftianity, and publith them in the Englifh tongue, and that all procefle and proceedings therein, -

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(6) therein, may be tue, and alfo in Enetifh, and in the moft ufuall Charactcrof writing, without any abreviation,that each one wha can read, may the better underftand their owne affaires, andthat the duties of all Judges, Officers, and practifers in che Law, and of all Magiftrates and Officers in the Com:non -wealth, may be prefcribed, their fees limiced ander ftrikt penalcies, and publifhed in Print, to the knowledge and view of all men ,by which juft and equitable meanes, this Nation fhall be for ever freed of an oprreffion, more burdenfome and troublefome chen all che oppreffions hitherto by this Parliament removed, 8 Eighchly, chat che life of no perfon may be taken away under the eeRimony of cwo witneffes at lea(t,of honelt cenverfation, and chat in an equitable way you will proportion punifhmentcco offences, fo that no mans life be taken away, his body punifhed, nor his eftace forfeited, bucupon fuch weighty and confiderable caufes, as jultly deterve fuch punifhment, and that all prifoners may have a {peedy tryall, chat chey . be neither ftarved nor their Families ruined by long and lingring ime - prifonment, and chat imprifonment may be ufed only for fate cuftody untill cime of eryall, and not as a punifhment for offences, g Ninthly,chac tyches, and all ocher inforced maintenances, may be fr ever abolifhed,and nothing in place thereof impofed, but chat all Minifters may be payd only by chofe who voluntarily choofe them, and contract wich chem for cheir labours. 10 Tenthly, chat you will take fome {peedy and cffectuall courfe,co relieve all fuch prifoners for debe as are alcogether unable co pay, chat they may not perifh in prifon through che hard-heartedneffe of cheie Credicors, and chac all tuch who have any eftaces, may be inforced to make payment accordingly, and noc fhelcer chemfelves in prifon to defraud their Credicors.

a1 Eleventhly, chat none may be Prifon-keepers, but fuch as are of approved honelty, and that they be prohibiced under greac penalties, to receive or detaine any perfon or perfons wichouc lawfull warrant, chat their ufage of Prifonecs may be wich genclenefle and civility, their fees moderate and cercaine,and that they may give fecurity for the good behaviour of cheir under officers.

r2 Twelfthly, chat you will provide fome posverfull meanes to keepe men, women, and children from begging and wickednelleat

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that this Natio may be no longer a fhame to Chriflianity therein. 13 Thirteenchly, that you-will reftraine and difcountenance the malice, and impudency of impious perfons in their revilirg, and ree proaching the well-affeSted with the ignominious titles of Roundheads, factious, feditious, and the like, whereby your reall friends

have been a longtime, and (till are exceedingly wronged, difcouraged, and made obnoxious to rude and prophane people, and that you will not exclude any of approved fidelity, from bearing offices of truft in che Commonewealch for Non-conformity, but rather Neuters, and fuch as manifelt difaffection or oppofition to common freedome,the admiffion andc..ntiauation of fuch, being che chiefe caufe of all our grieyauces. Thete Remedies, or what other fhall feeme more cffeRuall in

. your grave wifdomes, we humbly pray may be {peedily applicd, and that in doing thereof you will be confidence of the affiftance of your Petitioners, and of all confiderate well-minded people, co the ucmoft of their bef abilities again{t all oppofition whatfoever, looking upon our felves, as more concerned mow at laf to make a good end, then at the firft co have made a good beginning, for what fhall it profit us, or what remedy can we expect, if now after fo great troubles and miferies this Nation fhould be letc by chis Parliament, in fo great a thraldome both of body, mind, and eftace ; Wee befeech you therefore, that withall your might, whileft you havetime, freedome and power, fo effectually co fulfill che true ends of Parliaments in delivering this Nation, from chefe,and all other grievances, that none may prefuine or dare to introduce the like for ever ; And we truft the God of your good fucceffe. will manifeft che fincerity of our intentions herein, and that . our humble defires are fuch, as tend not only to our owne particular, but co che general good of the Common-wea lth, and proper for this honourable houfe to grant, without which this Nation cannot be fafe ot happy ; And thathe wiil bleffe you wich true Chriftian fortirude, fuirable co the cruft and greatneffe of che worke you have undertaken; andm-ke che memory of this Parliament bleffed to all fucceeding generations.

B SIR,

, Shall ever be che prayer of your humble Petitioners.

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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK

FOREIGN AGENT

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS HUMPHREY MILFORD

AMEN HOUSE, LONDON, E.C.

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